formal
/ˈfɔ:ml; `fɔrml/ adj
1 following accepted rules of behaviour; showing or expecting careful, serious behaviour, as eg on official occasions or in distant, not close, relationships 正式的; 正规的; 按规矩的; 有礼貌的; 庄重的; 文雅的
She has a very formal manner. 她举止端庄.
a formal dinner, luncheon, dance, etc 正式的晚餐、 午餐、 舞会等
formal dress 礼服 * `Request' is a more formal way of saying `ask for'. 用request一词比用ask for显得郑重.
2 regular or geometric in shape; symmetrical 形状整齐的; 成几何图形的; 匀称的
formal gardens 整齐的花园.
3 of the outward shape or appearance (in contrast to the content or substance) 外形的; 外观的; 形式上的
There is only a formal resemblance between the two systems; they are in fact radically different. 这两种体系只是在表面上有某种相似之处, 其实根本不同.
4 publicly declared and recognized as official 公开宣布的; 正式承认的
a formal denial 公开否认
a formal declaration of war 正式宣战.
5 [attrib 作定语]
(of education) officially given at a school, college, etc （指教育）正规的
The job does not require any formal training. 做这种工作不需要任何正规训练.