late 14c., "pertaining to form or arrangement;" also, in philosophy and theology, "pertaining to the form or essence of a thing," from Old French formal, formel "formal, constituent" (13c.) and directly from Latin formalis, from forma "a form, figure, shape" (see form (n.)). From early 15c. as "in due or proper form, according to recognized form," As a noun, c. 1600 (plural) "things that are formal;" as a short way to say formal dance, recorded by 1906 among U.S. college students.
双语例句
1. A formal contract is signed which is renewable annually.
正式签订了每年可续签的合同。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Despite its lack of formal power the nobility was not powerless.
尽管没有正式的权力，贵族阶层并非没有权势。
来自柯林斯例句
3. They decided to put their relationship on a more formal footing.
他们决定正式交往。
来自柯林斯例句
4. His wife made no secret of her hatred for the formal occasions.
他的妻子公开表示厌恶那些礼节性的场合。
来自柯林斯例句
5. There is no formal linkage between the two agreements.
