Formal vs. Former — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 3, 2023
Formal relates to official, structured, or ceremonial aspects, while former refers to something or someone that existed in the past or held a previous position.
Difference Between Formal and Former
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Formal pertains to a specific set of rules, procedures, or conventions. It is often associated with official occasions, structured settings, or ceremonies. Former, on the other hand, refers to something that existed in the past or someone who held a previous position.
Formal attire, for example, is appropriate for events like weddings or business meetings. For instance, the former president of a company implies the individual who held that position before the current one.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Pertains to official or structured aspects
Refers to something or someone from the past
Usage
Often related to etiquette and ceremonies
Indicates a previous state or identity
Attire
Formal attire is worn for special occasions
Former clothing refers to past styles
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Language
Formal language adheres to established standards
Former language may refer to older dialects
Position
Formal positions are official and recognized
Former positions are those held previously
Compare with Definitions
Formal
Formal refers to official or structured aspects.
The wedding had a formal dress code.
Former
Former clothing styles were popular in earlier eras.
Vintage fashion often features former styles.
Formal
Formality implies adherence to etiquette and conventions.
He used formal language in his letter.
Former
The former language of a region may differ from today's dialect.
Old English is the former language of England.
Formal
Formal attire is appropriate for special occasions.
She wore a formal gown to the awards ceremony.
Former
The former president refers to the previous officeholder.
The former president gave a speech.
Formal
In a formal setting, decorum and rules are emphasized.
The board meeting followed a formal agenda.
Former
Former indicates something or someone from the past.
She visited her former school.
Formal
Relating to or involving outward form or structure, often in contrast to content or meaning.
Former
Former employees are those who worked at a previous job.
The company recognized its former staff at the reunion.
Formal
Being or relating to essential form or constitution
A formal principle.
Former
One that forms; a maker or creator
A former of ideas.
Formal
Following or being in accord with accepted or prescribed forms, conventions, or regulations
Had little formal education.
Went to a formal party.
Former
A member of a school form
A fifth former.
Formal
Characterized by strict or meticulous observation of forms; methodical
Very formal in their business transactions.
Former
The first of two persons or things mentioned
"The army was pulling itself together, the government was coming apart. The success of the former was continually imperiled by the failure of the latter" (Garry Wills).
Formal
Stiffly ceremonious
A formal greeting.
Former
Relating to or taking place in the past
In former times.
Formal
Characterized by technical or polysyllabic vocabulary, complex sentence structure, and explicit transitions; not colloquial or informal
Formal discourse.
Former
Having been so in the past
A former ambassador.
His former boss.
Formal
Having the outward appearance but lacking in substance
A formal requirement that is usually ignored.
Former
Being the first of two mentioned.
Formal
Something, such as a gown or social affair, that is formal in nature.
Former
Previous.
A former president;
The former East Germany
Formal
Being in accord with established forms.
She spoke formal English, without any dialect.
Former
First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun.
The former is a good idea but the latter is not.
We have two cars, a red one and a blue one. We won the former on a game show.
Formal
Official.
I'd like to make a formal complaint.
Despite efforts by limnologists and freshwater biologists to create a formal definition of “pond”, there is still no universal distinction between a “pond” and a “lake.”
Former
Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
Dave was the former of the company.
Formal
Relating to the form or structure of something.
Formal linguistics ignores the vocabulary of languages and focuses solely on their grammar.
Former
An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
The brick arch was built using a wooden former.
Formal
Relating to formation.
The formal stage is a critical part of any child's development.
Former
Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).
Formal
Ceremonial or traditional.
Formal wear must be worn at my wedding!
Former
One who forms; a maker; a creator.
Formal
Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual.
He's always very formal, and I wish he'd relax a bit.
Former
A shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed.
Formal
Organized; well-structured and planned.
When they became a formal club the rowers built a small boathouse.
Former
Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past.
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age.
The latter and former rain.
Formal
(mathematics) Relating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning.
Formal series are defined without any reference to convergence.
Former
Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.
Formal
(clothing) An evening gown.
Former
Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned.
A bad author deserves better usage than a bad critic; a man may be the former merely through the misfortune of an ill judgment; but he can not be latter without both that and an ill temper.
Formal
An event with a formal dress code.
Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal.
Former
The first of two or the first mentioned of two;
Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today
Formal
(programming) A formal parameter.
Former
Referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several);
The novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one
Formal
(Oxbridge slang) formal hall.
Former
Belonging to some prior time;
Erstwhile friend
Our former glory
The once capital of the state
Her quondam lover
Formal
(uncountable) Formalin.
Former
(used especially of persons) of the immediate past;
The former president
Our late President is still very active
The previous occupant of the White House
Formal
An acetal formed from formaldehyde.
Former
Of the distant past;
The early inhabitants of Europe
Former generations
In other times
Formal
See Methylal.
Formal
Belonging to the form, shape, frame, external appearance, or organization of a thing.
Formal
Belonging to the constitution of a thing, as distinguished from the matter composing it; having the power of making a thing what it is; constituent; essential; pertaining to or depending on the forms, so called, of the human intellect.
Of [the sounds represented by] letters, the material part is breath and voice; the formal is constituted by the motion and figure of the organs of speech.
Formal
Done in due form, or with solemnity; according to regular method; not incidental, sudden or irregular; express; as, he gave his formal consent.
His obscure funeral . . . No noble rite nor formal ostentation.
Formal
Devoted to, or done in accordance with, forms or rules; punctilious; regular; orderly; methodical; of a prescribed form; exact; prim; stiff; ceremonious; as, a man formal in his dress, his gait, his conversation.
A cold-looking, formal garden, cut into angles and rhomboids.
She took off the formal cap that confined her hair.
Formal
Having the form or appearance without the substance or essence; external; as, formal duty; formal worship; formal courtesy, etc.
Formal
Dependent in form; conventional.
Still in constraint your suffering sex remains,Or bound in formal or in real chains.
Formal
Sound; normal.
To make of him a formal man again.
Formal
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
Formal
Characteristic of or befitting a person in authority;
Formal duties
An official banquet
Formal
(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
Formal
Represented in simplified or symbolic form
Formal
Logically deductive;
Formal proof
Formal
Refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court;
A courtly gentleman
Formal
Formal behavior reflects respect and seriousness.
He maintained a formal demeanor at the job interview.
Common Curiosities
What does "formal" mean?
"Formal" relates to official, structured, or ceremonial aspects.
What distinguishes formal attire?
Formal attire is typically worn for special events and adheres to established dress codes.
How is formal language different from informal language?
Formal language follows strict grammar and vocabulary standards and is used in official or professional settings.
Can you provide examples of formal occasions?
Weddings, business meetings, and award ceremonies are examples of formal occasions.
Why is formality important in some situations?
Formality is important for showing respect, adhering to traditions, and maintaining decorum in specific contexts.
Can you give an example of the use of "former" in time references?
"My former residence was in the city, but now I live in the countryside."
Are there instances where "former" is used to distinguish between two people?
Yes, "former" can be used to differentiate between two individuals with the same name or role.
How is "former" used in the context of employment?
"Former" is used to describe individuals who held a previous position or job.
What does "former" mean?
"Former" refers to something or someone from the past or a previous state.
What is the significance of identifying something as "former"?
Identifying something as "former" helps establish a chronological or positional distinction between the past and the present.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
