Formal vs Former - What's the difference?
formal | former |
Being in accord with established forms.
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Official.
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Relating to the form or structure of something.
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*
Relating to formation.
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Ceremonial.
:(rfquote-sense)
Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual.
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Organized; well-structured and planned.
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(mathematics) Relating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning.
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Formalin.
An evening gown.
An event with a formal dress code.
Previous.
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*
*:At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors.In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass.
(senseid) First of aforementioned two items. Used with the , often without a noun.
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Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
(chiefly, British, used in combinations) Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).
As adjectives the difference between formal and former
is that formal is being in accord with established forms while former is previous.As nouns the difference between formal and former
is that formal is formalin while former is someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.formal
English
Adjective
(en adjective)Antonyms
* informalDerived terms
* formal cause * formalize * formalist * formalism * formalityNoun
(en noun)- Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal .
External links
* * ----former
English
Alternative forms
* (l)Etymology 1
From (etyl) former, comparative of . Parallel to (m) (via Latin), as comparative form from same Proto-Indo-European root. Related to (m) and (m) (thence (m)), from Proto-Germanic.Adjective
(-)Synonyms
* (previous) anterior, erstwhile, previous, prior, quondam, ex- * See alsoAntonyms
* latterEtymology 2
Noun
(en noun)- Dave was the former of the company.
- ''The brick arch was built using a wooden former .
- ''Fifth-former
- Sixth-former .