This tool relates English terms to concepts from the
SUMO
ontology by means of mappings to
WordNet synsets.
According to WordNet, the adjective "formal" has 6 sense(s).
301045216 (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms; "the paper was written in formal English".
301041916 being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress); "pay one's formal respects"; "formal dress"; "a formal ball"; "the requirement was only formal and often ignored"; "a formal education".