formally

[ fawr-muh-lee ]

adverb

1. in a formal manner:

   The store was formally opened on Tuesday.

2. as regards form; in form:

   It may be formally correct, but it is substantively wrong.

Word History and Origins

Origin of formally¹

1350–1400; Middle English. See formal ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

The full ninth edition of the Dictionnaire de l’Académie Française was formally presented to President Macron this afternoon in the plush surroundings of the 17th century Collège des Quatre-Nations on the left bank of the Seine.

From BBC

It also wears many names — the African desert banana, the crane lily — but formally, it is known as Strelitzia reginae and is one of five species of Strelitzia.

From Los Angeles Times

Just last week, California voters formally removed Proposition 8 from the state Constitution and enshrined the right to marry.

From Los Angeles Times

Foster filed for the split last month in Tennessee, where the couple and their two children have lived for two years, formally moving to end their six-year marriage.

From Los Angeles Times

Before meeting with Biden on Wednesday, Trump addressed House Republicans, who are on the verge of formally winning a House majority.

From Salon

Related Words

• correctly
• properly
• regularly