formal
540
formal² n AmE a woman's formal dress: The only time I ever wore that formal was to the junior prom.
for·ma·lin /'fɔ:məlɪn||'fɔ:r-/ n [U] a liquid made by mixing the colourless gas formaldehyde with water, used for killing bacteria and keeping things clean, preserving dead bodies for science, making plastic etc
form·al·ism /'fɔ:məlɪzəm||'fɔ:r-/ n [U] often derog (too great and exact an) obedience to rules and ceremonies, especially in art and religion —ist n, adj
for·mal·i·ty /fɔ:'mælətɪ||fɔ:r-/ n 1 [U] careful attention to rules and accepted forms of behaviour: Even with close friends he observes a certain formality. 2 [C] a) an act in accordance with law or custom: There are a few formalities to go through before you enter a foreign country, such as showing your passport. b) an act like this which has lost its real meaning: The written part of the exam is just a formality; no one ever fails it.
for·mal·ize also -ise BrE /'fɔ:məlaɪz||'fɔ:r-/ v [T] fml 1 to put (an agreement, plan etc) into clear usually written form: The agreement must be formalized before it can have the force of law. 2 to introduce formality into (an occasion, event etc) —ization /'fɔ:məlaɪ'zeʃən||'f:rmə-/- n [U]
For·man, George /'fɔ:mən||'fɔ:r-/ (1949-) an African-American BOXER who was the World Heavyweight Champion from 1973-74. He lost the title to Mohammed Ali in 1974. In 1994, aged 45, Foreman won the title again, becoming the oldest man ever to win a world title fight.
for·mat¹ /'fɔ:mæt||'fɔ:r-/ n 1 the size, shape etc in which something, especially a book, is produced 2 the general plan or arrangement of something: a new format for the six o'clock TV news | Official reports are usually written to a set format.
format² v -tt- [T] to arrange (a book, computer information etc) in a particular format
for·ma·tion /fɔ:'meɪʃən||fɔ:r-/ n 1 [U] the shaping or developing of something: Damp conditions are needed for the formation of mould. | School life has a great influence on the formation of a child's character. 2 [C,U] (an) arrangement of people, ships, aircraft etc; order: The soldiers were drawn up in battle formation. (=in the correct position to begin a battle) | a team of aircraft that does formation flying (=flying that makes patterns in the sky) 3 [C,U] a thing which is formed or the way in which it is formed: several kinds of cloud formations | Geologists study rock formation. ➔ see also BACK FORMATION
for·ma·tive /'fɔ:mətɪv||'fɔ:r-/ adj [A] having influence in forming or developing: Parents have the greatest formative effect on their children's behaviour. | the child's formative years (=the time when her character is formed) —ly adv
Form·by, George /'fɔ:mbɪ||'fɔ:rm-/ (1904-61) a singer COMEDIAN from the north of England who performed in the MUSIC HALLS and appeared in films in the 1930s and 1940s. He usually appeared as a cheerful, rather stupid character with a big smile, and he is best known for singing humorous songs while playing the UKELELE (=a musical instrument like a very small GUITAR).
for·mer¹ /'fɔ:mə||'fɔ:r-/ adj [A no comp.] of an earlier period: her former husband | In former times people were hanged for stealing in Britain. | He made us laugh all the evening; he seemed more like his former self. (=as he was before he was changed by trouble, age, illness etc)
former² adj, n pl. former [A no comp.;C] rather fml the first (of two people or things just mentioned): Of Nigeria and Ghana, the former (country) has the larger population. | Of the two possibilities, the former seems more likely. ➔ opposite LATTER
for·mer·ly /'fɔ:məlɪ||'fɔ:rmərli/ adv in earlier times: Peru was formerly ruled by the Spanish. | Formerly he worked in a factory, but now he's a teacher.
For·mi·ca, formica /fɔ:'maɪkə||fɔ:r-/ trademark a type of strong plastic made in thin sheets, used especially for covering the surfaces of tables so that hot things can be put on them: formica tabletops
for·mic ac·id /'fɔ:mɪk 'æsɪd||'fɔ:r-/ n [U] an acid obtained from ants, and now also produced artificially, used especially in colouring cloth and making leather
for·mi·da·ble /'fɔ:mɪdəbəl, fə'mɪd-||'fɔ:r-, fər-/ adj 1 very great and frightening; causing anxiety, fearful respect etc: He has a formidable voice. (=very loud) | His mother is a most formidable lady. 2 difficult to defeat or deal with; needing much effort to succeed against: a formidable enemy | They climbed the last part of the mountain in formidable weather conditions. | The examination paper contained several formidable questions. —bly adv
form·less /'fɔ:mləs||'fɔ:rm-/ adj 1 without shape: a strange formless creature 2 usually derog lacking order or arrangement: The experimental music was rather formless. —ly adv —ness n [U]
'form ,letter n a standard letter that is sent to a number of people, with details such as name and address added
,form of ad'dress n pl. forms of address the correct polite title to be used when speaking or writing to someone: 'Your Majesty' is the form of address used with the queen. | What form of address is appropriate when speaking to a bishop?
'form room BrE || homeroom AmE — n the classroom used by the pupils in the same FORM where the teacher checks that pupils are at school and discusses various social or ADMINISTRATIVE matters
'form ,teacher BrE || homeroom teacher AmE — n the teacher responsible for the pupils of one FORM, often dealing with personal and social matters as well as teaching them: Talk to your form teacher if you have any problems.
for·mu·la /'fɔ:mjʊlə||'fɔ:rm-/ n pl. -las or -lae /li:/ 1 [C(for)] a tech a general law, rule, fact etc, expressed in a short form by means of a group of letters, signs, numbers etc: The chemical formula for water is H₂O. | There is a special formula for calculating distance, if speed and time are known. 2 [C(for)] a list of the especially chemical substances used in making a medicine, a FUEL, a drink etc, sometimes also including a description of how they are to be mixed: Someone has stolen the secret formula for the new drink. ➔ compare RECIPE 3 [C(for)] a method or set of principles used for gaining a particular result: The two sides worked out an acceptable formula (=combination of suggestions, plans etc) for settling the strike. | A good education and hard work seem to be a formula for success. (=they will almost certainly lead to success) 4 [C] (before a number) a particular type of racing car or car race: Formula One cars are the most powerful. | a formula 5000 race 5 [U] AmE liquid milk-like food for babies
for·mu·la·ic /'fɔ:mjʊ'leɪɪk||'fɔ:r-/ adj fml or tech containing or made up of fixed expressions or set forms of words: formulaic poetry —ly adv
Formula 'One the highest level of international car racing. Formula One cars are special, very fast cars that compete for the world championship by taking part in a series of important races, called 'Grand Prix', in several countries.
for·mu·late /'fɔ:mjʊleɪt||'fɔ:r-/ v [T] 1 to express in an exact way; FRAME: He took care to formulate his reply very clearly. 2 to invent and prepare (a plan, suggestion etc): The government is trying to formulate a new policy on Northern Ireland. —lation /'fɔ:mj'leɪʃən||'fɔ:r-/ n [C,U]
for·ni·cate /'fɔ:nɪkeɪt||'fɔ:r-/ v [I] especially law or bibl to have sexual relations with someone to whom one is not married —cation /'fɔ:nɪ'keɪʃən||'fɔ:r-/ n [U]
For·rest Gump /'fɔ:rɪst 'gʌmp||'fɔ:r-, fər-/ (1994) a humorous US film in which Tom HANKS appears as a man called Forrest Gump, who is nice but not very intelligent. As a result of good luck, he becomes successful and rich, and so achieves the things that many Americans think are important, though these things are not important to him. Gump is known for often repeating his mother's saying that 'Life is like a box of chocolates', meaning that when you make a choice in life you do not know whether it will be a good choice or not.
for·sake /fə'seɪk||fər-/ v -sook /'sʊk/, -saken /'seɪkən/ [T] lit or bibl to desert; leave for ever; give up completely: She forsook her worldly possessions to devote herself to the church. | In the mist and rain the little village had a forsaken look about it.
for 'sale adj (often cap.) offered to be sold, especially by a private owner: There's a 'For Sale' sign outside their house. ➔ see also SALE
for·sooth /fə'su:θ||fər-/ adv old use indeed; certainly; in truth
For·ster, E.M. /'fɔ:stə||'fɔ:rt-/ (1879-1970) an important