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Traditional vs Formal - What's the difference?

traditional | formal |

As adjectives the difference between traditional and formal

is that traditional is of or pertaining to tradition; derived from tradition; communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only; transmitted from age to age without writing; as, traditional opinions; traditional customs; traditional expositions of the Scriptures while formal is being in accord with established forms.

As a noun formal is

formalin.

traditional

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to tradition; derived from tradition; communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only; transmitted from age to age without writing; as, traditional opinions; traditional customs; traditional expositions of the Scriptures.
  • I think her traditional values are antiquated .
  • Observant of tradition; attached to old customs; old-fashioned.
  • In lieu of the name of the composer of a piece of music, whose real name is lost in the mists of time.
  • Antonyms

    * nontraditional, non-traditional * untraditional

    Derived terms

    * traditionally

    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 .