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Formal vs Strict - What's the difference?

formal | strict | Synonyms |

As adjectives the difference between formal and strict

is that formal is being in accord with established forms while strict is strained; drawn close; tight.

As a noun formal

is formalin.

formal

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Being in accord with established forms.
  • :
  • Official.
  • :
  • Relating to the form or structure of something.
  • :
  • *
  • Relating to formation.
  • :
  • Ceremonial.
  • :(rfquote-sense)
  • Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual.
  • :
  • Organized; well-structured and planned.
  • :
  • (mathematics) Relating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning.
  • :
  • Antonyms

    * informal

    Derived terms

    * formal cause * formalize * formalist * formalism * formality

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Formalin.
  • An evening gown.
  • An event with a formal dress code.
  • Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal .

    strict

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Strained; drawn close; tight.
  • strict embrace
    strict ligature
  • Tense; not relaxed.
  • strict fiber
  • Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice.
  • to keep strict watch
    to pay strict attention
  • Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
  • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict  ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.}}
    very strict in observing the Sabbath
  • Rigidly interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted.
  • to understand words in a strict sense
  • (botany) Upright, or straight and narrow; — said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
  • Severe in discipline.
  • Usage notes

    * Stricter'' and ''strictest'' are the grammatically correct forms for the comparative and superlative though outside UK ''more strict'' and ''most strict are more often used.

    Antonyms

    * lenient * lax * permissive