How to pronounce formal
Say it like FOR-mul. Formal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce formal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FOR
- mul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Formal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- mulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of formal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAW-mul.
What does formal mean?
- being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)“pay one's formal respects”“formal dress”
- characteristic of or befitting a person in authority“formal duties”“an official banquet”
- (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”
- a lavish dance requiring formal attire
- a gown for evening wear
Where does formal come from?
From Middle English formel, borrowed from Old French formel, from Latin fōrmālis, from fōrma (“form”); equivalent to form + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with formal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of formal.
Questions about saying formal
How do you pronounce formal?
Say FOR-mul. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɔrməl/. In British English it is /ˈfɔːməl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in formal?
Formal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FOR). Broken into parts: FOR · mul.
Is formal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfɔːməl/ (FAW-mul).