Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

formally

/ˈfɔɹ.mə.li/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.01 in modern English

Syllables: for-mal-ly
IPA: /ˈfɔɹ.mə.li/

16

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In a formal manner.

adv

In accordance with official procedure.

adv

In accordance with rigorous rules.

Example Sentences

"He was dressed too formally for the occasion."
"He formally filed a complaint, which involved much paperwork."
"Dans told CNN he will formally launch his campaign with a prayer breakfast Wednesday in Charleston."
"He proved it formally but gave his students no intuitive feel for the matter."

Etymology

Etymology tree English formal Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English formally From formal + -ly.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈfɔɹ.mə.li/
British English: /ˈfɔː.mə.li/

Inflected Forms

more formally (comparative) most formally (superlative)

Derived Forms

unformally

Frequently Paired Words

officially

Synonyms

officially

Homonyms

formerly (non-rhotic)

Antonyms

informally

Rhymes With

normally informally abnormally

Questions

How do you pronounce formally?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈfɔɹ.mə.li/.
What does formally mean?: In a formal manner.
Where does formally come from?: Etymology tree English formal Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English formally From formal + -ly.

How to pronounce formally

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈfɔɹ.mə.li/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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