formally

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Related to formally: meant, commencing

formally

properly; in a conventional way: We were formally introduced.

Not to be confused with:

formerly – happening earlier in time: We were formerly married to each other.

for·mal

(fôr′məl)

adj.

a. Relating to or involving outward form or structure, often in contrast to content or meaning.

b. Being or relating to essential form or constitution: a formal principle.

2. Following or being in accord with accepted or prescribed forms, conventions, or regulations: had little formal education; went to a formal party.

a. Characterized by strict or meticulous observation of forms; methodical: very formal in their business transactions.

b. Stiffly ceremonious: a formal greeting.

4. Characterized by technical or polysyllabic vocabulary, complex sentence structure, and explicit transitions; not colloquial or informal: formal discourse.

5. Having the outward appearance but lacking in substance: a formal requirement that is usually ignored.

Something, such as a gown or social affair, that is formal in nature.

[Middle English, from Latin fōrmālis, from fōrma, shape.]

for′mal·ly adv.

for′mal·ness n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Adv.	1.	formally - with official authorization; "the club will be formally recognized" officially
	2.	formally - in a formal manner; "he was dressed rather formally" informally - without formality; "he visited us informally"

Translations

رَسْميّا

formálně

formeltkorrektstift

formell

formalmente

cérémonieusement conventionnellement formellement

formailagszabályszerûen

reglulega

formalmente esplicitamente

uradno

resmen resmî

正式地

formally

[ˈfɔːməlɪ] ADV (gen) → formalmente; (= officially) → oficialmente; (= ceremoniously) → con mucha ceremonia; [dress etc] → de etiqueta; (= stiffly) → con formalidad

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

formally

[ˈfɔː^rm^əli] adv

[announce] → officiellement
to be formally invited → être officiellement invité

[speak, address] → solennellement; [agree] → formellement; [dress] → de façon conventionnelle

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

formally

adv

speak, behave, dress → formell, förmlich; (= officially) announce, agree, open, approve → formell, offiziell; apologize → in aller Form; formally courteous → förmlich und höflich; formally dressed → formell gekleidet; the pact still exists - at least formally → der Pakt besteht immer noch - zumindest der Form nach; formally charged (Jur) → offiziell angeklagt; formally binding → offiziell verbindlich

(in design) → regelmäßig; formally laid-out gardens → formal angelegte Gartenanlagen; the chairs were formally arranged in rows → die Stühle waren streng in Reihen angeordnet

(= academically) teach, train → offiziell; (in an educational establishment) → in einer Bildungsanstalt; to teach something formally → etw wissenschaftlich unterrichten; he is formally trained → er hat eine ordentliche Ausbildung

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

formally

[ˈfɔːməlɪ] adv (see adj) → in modo formale, ufficialmente
formally dressed → in abito da cerimonia
to be formally invited → ricevere un invito ufficiale

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

formal

(ˈfoːməl) adjective

1. done etc according to a fixed and accepted way. a formal letter.

2. suitable or correct for occasions when things are done according to a fixed and accepted way. You must wear formal dress.

3. (of behaviour, attitude etc) not relaxed and friendly. formal behaviour.

4. (of language) exactly correct by grammatical etc rules but not conversational. Her English was very formal.

5. (of designs etc) precise and following a fixed pattern rather than occuring naturally. formal gardens.

ˈformally adverb

forˈmality (-ˈmӕ-) noun

1. something which is done for appearance but has little meaning. The chairman's speech was only a formality.

2. unrelaxed correctness of behaviour. His formality made him appear unfriendly.

References in classic literature ?

And with what quill did the Secretary of the Society for the Suppression of Cruelty to Ganders formally indite his circulars?

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That the power of attorney, authorising the bankers to sell out the stock, and the various written orders telling them what amounts to sell out, were formally signed by both the Trustees.

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And as by the 16th article of the company's agreement, they were authorized to abandon this undertaking, and dissolve the concern, if before the period of five years it should be found unprofitable, they now formally announced their intention to do so on the 1st day of June, of the ensuing year, unless in the interim they should receive the necessary support and supplies from Mr.

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It was a few days after this last occurrence that Ignosi held his great "indaba," or council, and was formally recognised as king by the "indunas," or head men, of Kukuanaland.

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They march to the box of the city fathers, and formally salute.

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To the deputation it was formally announced that the queen would receive it.

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Velvet lawns, gravelled walks and drives, and flowers formally growing, led up to the group of long low buildings, some of frame and some of concrete.

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The month's trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed.

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'Fanny,' gasped Mr Dorrit, after a majestic silence, 'if I request you to remain here, while I formally announce to Mrs General, as an exemplary lady, who is--hum--a trusted member of this family, the-- ha--the change that is contemplated among us; if I--ha--not only request it, but--hum--insist upon it--'

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Meanwhile, Sam, having been formally introduced to the whitewashed gentleman and his friends, as the offspring of Mr.

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On the day after they were scrubbed clean, and were formally re-admitted to the dining-room.

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Their keeper had a brace of pistols, and carried a thick-knobbed bludgeon under his arm; but he was on terms of good understanding with them, and stood, with them beside him, looking on at the putting-to of the horses, rather with an air as if the convicts were an interesting Exhibition not formally open at the moment, and he the Curator.