Word family noun formality ≠ informality formalization adjective formal ≠ informal verb formalize adverb formally ≠ informally
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishformalizefor‧mal‧ize (also formalise British English) /ˈfɔːməlaɪz $ ˈfɔːr-/ verb [transitive] BPPUBLIC/NOT PRIVATEto make a plan, decision, or idea official, especially by deciding and clearly describing all the details Final arrangements for the takeover have yet to be formalized. —formalization /ˌfɔːməlaɪˈzeɪʃən $ ˌfɔːrmələ-/ noun [uncountable]→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
formalize• After several more weeks of details, the deal was formalized.• The other crucial part is formalized child care.• Other opposition has been adhoc and in some areas, such as Inishturk, has not formalized itself into an organization.• In 1859 he formalized Nicholas I's reduction of military service from twenty-five years to fifteen.• I just feel, like, we should, like ... you know, formalize our avenues of protest, right ...?• a charter to formalize patients' rights in public health services• The new law is intended to further formalize the process of adopting children from overseas.• Not until January 1982 did the Macintosh team finally sit down to formalize things.• These problems remained, even after objectives had been partially clarified and formalized through grant financing and stringent financial controls.• Most measures to formalize wage negotiations have so far been very successful.• Sutton said he thinks Mazzone has only formalized what many pitchers have done over the years.• The contracts must be formalized within a month.From Longman Business Dictionaryformalizefor‧mal‧ize /ˈfɔːməlaɪzˈfɔːr-/ (also formalise British English) verb [transitive]LAW to make a plan, decision, or idea official, especially by deciding and clearly describing all the detailsFinal arrangements for the takeover have yet to be formalized.→ See Verb table 