formally

formally — adverb

1. according to the correct official rules or accepted procedures, rather than in a

1.adverbB2
Definition

according to the correct official rules or accepted procedures, rather than in an informal or unofficial way

Example

The contract was formally approved by the board of directors on Friday.

passive: be formally + past participle (approved)

Folake formally applied for Canadian citizenship after living in Toronto for six years.

collocation: formally apply for [something]

Common collocations
  • formally approve
  • formally announce
  • formally apply
  • formally complain
  • formally agree
  • formally invite
Synonyms
  • officially

    closest synonym; interchangeable in most official contexts

  • by the book

    informal alternative emphasising strict adherence to rules

  • legally

    narrower; only when official procedures involve the law

Antonyms
  • informally

    done unofficially or without following official procedures

  • unofficially

    without formal recognition or authorisation

Grammar Patterns

formally + past participle (passive)

formally + verb (active)

Usage Note

Often used in the passive voice (be formally + past participle) to describe official actions such as approvals, announcements, or agreements. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on legal or procedural formality rather than personal behaviour.

Common Mistakes

She was formally the manager, but now she works in marketing.
She was formerly the manager, but now she works in marketing.
'Formally' means following official rules; 'formerly' means in the past.

2. showing serious, correct, and polite behaviour on important social occasions whe

2.adverbB2
Definition

showing serious, correct, and polite behaviour on important social occasions where customs and traditions matter

Example

All guests are expected to dress formally for the awards ceremony at the Grand Hotel.

collocation: dress formally

Antonia bowed formally to the ambassador before taking her seat at the table.

collocation: bow formally

Common collocations
  • dress formally
  • behave formally
  • speak formally
  • bow formally
  • greet someone formally
  • introduce oneself formally
Synonyms
  • properly

    broader in meaning; less tied to ceremonial occasions

  • correctly

    focuses on following social rules rather than showing respect

  • ceremoniously

    stronger emphasis on ritual or ceremony; less common

Antonyms
  • casually

    done in a relaxed, informal manner

  • informally

    done without following formal social customs

Grammar Patterns

formally + verb of social interaction (dress, speak, behave, bow, greet)

Usage Note

Commonly modifies verbs of social interaction: dress, speak, behave, bow, greet, thank, introduce. The setting must be an important or ceremonial occasion — do not use this sense for everyday polite behaviour.

Common Mistakes

The doctor formally told me to rest more after my surgery.
The doctor strongly advised me to rest more after my surgery.
'Formally' implies following social customs for important occasions, not just a serious tone.

3. of gardens, rooms, or buildings — in a carefully planned and ordered way that fo

3.adverbC1
Definition

of gardens, rooms, or buildings — in a carefully planned and ordered way that follows a clear, symmetrical design, often with straight lines and geometric shapes

Example

The garden was laid out formally, with straight gravel paths and neatly clipped hedges.

collocation: laid out formally

Christopher designed the entrance hall formally, placing two identical sofas facing each other.

collocation: designed formally

Common collocations
  • formally laid out
  • formally designed
  • formally arranged
  • formally trimmed
  • formally planted
Synonyms
  • symmetrically

    focuses on mirror-image balance; a key feature of formal design

  • geometrically

    emphasises clear shapes such as squares, circles, and rectangles

  • methodically

    broader; not limited to garden or architectural contexts

Antonyms
  • informally

    carelessly or naturally arranged, without strict planning

  • naturally

    allowed to grow or develop without human-imposed order

Grammar Patterns

formally + past participle (design contexts: laid out, designed, arranged, trimmed)

Usage Note

Restricted to descriptions of physical spaces and landscapes. This sense contrasts with informal or naturalistic design, where plants and features are allowed to grow freely without strict symmetry.

Common Mistakes

The room was formally arranged with furniture scattered around.
The room was formally arranged with furniture placed in a symmetrical layout.
'Formally' in design means ordered and planned, not simply neatly arranged.

Word family

  • formal
    adjectiveB1
  • formality
    nounB2
  • formalize
    verbC1
  • informal
    adjectiveB1
  • informally
    adverbB2
  • informality
    nounC1
  • formalism
    nounC2
  • semi-formal
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe actions done according to rules or customs, but they differ in scope. 'Formally' (sense 1) emphasises following established legal or organisational procedures — a contract is formally signed, a complaint is formally lodged. 'Officially' is the closest synonym and is often interchangeable, though it carries a stronger implication of authority or recognition from an institution ('the news was officially confirmed'). 'Properly' is broader and less tied to institutional rules; it can mean 'in the correct way' in everyday contexts ('the children were taught to behave properly'). 'Ceremoniously' is narrower and more dramatic, describing actions performed with deliberate ritual or pageantry ('the flag was ceremoniously raised'). For most official contexts, 'formally' and 'officially' are the best choices. Example: 'The university formally invited the Nobel laureate to speak' — using 'officially' would emphasise the institution's endorsement, while 'ceremoniously' would describe the elaborate welcome.

formally ↗officially ↗properly ↗ceremoniously

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • dress formally
  • behave formally
  • speak formally
  • formally approved
  • formally announced
  • formally applied
  • formally laid out
  • formally designed
  • formally invited

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'formally' comes from Middle English 'formalliche', based on the Latin adjective 'formalis' meaning 'relating to form or shape', from 'forma' (form, shape, appearance). The idea of acting according to established 'forms' or procedures gave rise to the official meaning, while the sense of polite, correct behaviour developed alongside it in the 17th century.