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Synonyms

pro forma

American  
[proh fawr-muh] / proʊ ˈfɔr mə /
Also proforma

adjective

  1. according to form; as a matter of form; for the sake of form.

  2. Commerce. provided in advance of shipment and merely showing the description and quantity of goods shipped without terms of payment.

    a pro forma invoice.

  3. Accounting. indicating hypothetical financial figures based on previous business operations for estimate purposes.

    a pro forma balance sheet.

adverb

  1. as a matter of form.

    Many of the school assignments appear to be done pro forma.

noun

PLURAL

pro forma, pro formas

  1. a pro forma document.

pro forma British  
/ ˈprəʊ ˈfɔːmə /

adjective

  1. prescribing a set form or procedure

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. performed in a set manner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
pro forma Cultural  

  1. Doing something pro forma means satisfying only the minimum requirements of a task and doing it in a perfunctory way: “Her welcoming address was strictly pro forma: you could tell that her mind was a million miles away.” From Latin, meaning “by form.”

Etymology

Origin of pro forma

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin prō formā

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 Convex deal, expected to close in early 2026, will account for 42% of pro forma net asset value, with management committing to greater earnings disclosure, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

“This is serious, this is not lip service, this is not pro forma,” he said.

From Washington Post

Most glaring was the disregard for the dangers to foreign journalists employed by VOA caused by Mr. Pack’s refusal to sign pro forma paperwork allowing them to work in the United States.

From Washington Post

He said the notice did not provide a rationale for his removal, describing it a pro forma notice “so the new administration can place the person they want in the position.”

From Seattle Times

Dye & Durham said it expects C$220 million in pro forma earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization following recent acquisitions and reflecting its business performance.

From Reuters

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.