formally
Americanadverb
-
in a formal manner.
The store was formally opened on Tuesday.
-
as regards form; in form.
It may be formally correct, but it is substantively wrong.
Etymology
Origin of formally
Compare meaning
How does formally compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Formally describes something done according to an established custom, like dressing formally for dinner with the President, as people always have done. In our casual era of wearing jeans almost everywhere and calling our elders by their first name, it's not every day that you meet someone who acts, speaks, or dresses more formally. But there is still value in this kind of expression, especially in showing respect on important occasions like weddings and funerals. Another meaning of the adverb formally is "officially," like being formally invited to dinner at the White House.
Vocabulary lists containing formally
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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"LAFFF"
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Commonly Confused Words, List 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The supply chain risk designation, formally made in March, had canceled Anthropic's military contracts and barred other Pentagon contractors from using its technology.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
The widespread visa cancellations, which were never formally announced, don’t appear to be continuing and some visas have been restored, Iranians said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Police said he had not yet been formally identified but he is believed to be 17-year-old David Wynter.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
The IFA, the governing body for football in Northern Ireland, had previously backed Uefa's stance without formally withdrawing their support, but have now said Infantino's plan raised "fundamental questions" of the president.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
As soon as the baby was exhumed but before she had an opportunity to formally examine the body, Enstice told an investigator that she believed that the baby had been born alive.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
