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semiformal

American  
[sem-ee-fawr-muhl, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈfɔr məl, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

  1. partly formal; containing some formal elements.

    a semiformal occasion; semiformal attire.


Etymology

Origin of semiformal

First recorded in 1930–35; semi- + formal 1

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.

Thought leadership: This isn’t a term that most of us would use, even in semiformal conversation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The dress code was originally billed as semiformal, but, in line with the casual attire of startups, was later revised to “business casual but feel free to dress it up!”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024

Close your eyes for a moment and think of a person wearing head-to-toe white in a room full of others clad in semiformal attire.

From Washington Post • Feb. 8, 2023

The social imperative — Newnam’s semiformal objective in each locale is to get invited to someone’s home for dinner — steers the show into unexpectedly suspenseful territory.

From New York Times • Dec. 8, 2022

“This is what you wear for an eighth grade semiformal dance.”

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser