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
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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 suspects have not been formally named, but their names were widely circulated by Greek media.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
On March 20, volunteer editors for Wikipedia’s English-language platform formally voted to ban all A.I.-generated text from its 7.1 million articles.
From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026
The inquiry will formally begin after the terms of reference are laid before Parliament on 13 April.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
Here’s how most relationships work with a financial professional: You formally engage them with a contract that details the scope of the work.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
“You seem to have lost your general somewhere as well. Your rule hasn’t even formally begun, but it certainly appears chaotic.”
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
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.
