Word family noun formality ≠ informality formalization adjective formal ≠ informal verb formalize adverb formally ≠ informally
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishformallyfor‧mal‧ly /ˈfɔːməli $ ˈfɔːr-/ ●●○ W3 adverb 1 PUBLIC/NOT PRIVATEofficially OPP informally We announced a decision formally recognizing the new government.2 POLITEin a polite way OPP informally He put his hand out formally, and Liza took it. ‘I apologize, Captain, ’ she said formally.Examples from the Corpus
formally• The drug has been formally approved to treat chicken pox.• The old San Siro stadium, now formally called Giuseppe Meazza, became an all-seater arena holding 85,000 people.• Taiwan formally calls itself the Republic of China.• Although they were dressed formally in dark suits, both men were wearing heavy rubber boots in deference to winter.• The faction was formally inaugurated on Dec. 18.• He said Congress will be formally notified of the plan.• Although it has government backing, the fund is formally private.• Nevertheless, both provide the opportunity for such attainments to be formally recognized.• Mr. Takaki bowed formally to each guest in turn. 