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formalwear

American  
[fawr-muhl-wair] / ˈfɔr məlˌwɛər /

noun

  1. clothing designed for or customarily worn on formal occasions, as tuxedos and evening gowns.


Etymology

Origin of formalwear

formal 1 + wear

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.

See Examples For:

Numerous wedding websites also recommend shopping for gently used formalwear on sites like Poshmark or Depop — which can also be more eco-friendly than buying new clothes.

From MarketWatch Jul. 7, 2026

In her formalwear, Elizabeth favored elaborate embroidery of satin, lace, and silk that incorporated pearls, crystals and sequins.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 9, 2026

Pannun is best known for his video messages shared on social media, often described as threatening towards Indian leaders and the government, mostly pictured in dark formalwear and white-bearded.

From Reuters Nov. 23, 2023

One regular client is an opera buff who needs formalwear to attend concerts around the world.

From Seattle Times Jul. 13, 2023

It is her mother, Missus Walters, looking even frailer than usual in her formalwear.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

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