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formal language

British

noun

a language designed for use in situations in which natural language is unsuitable, as for example in mathematics, logic, or computer programming. The symbols and formulas of such languages stand in precisely specified syntactic and semantic relations to one another
logic a logistic system for which an interpretation is provided: distinguished from formal calculus in that the semantics enable it to be regarded as about some subject matter

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He also speaks in full sentences and uses formal language fitting legal argumentation.

From Slate • Aug. 20, 2025

Closeness erodes formal language, imbues utterances with private meaning.

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2022

Draft a script for your review podcast that reflects your personality and use of language, rather than formal language.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

In many ways, this year’s nominees reflect a medium whose formal language has one foot squarely planted in the conventions of the past, and another seeking out a toehold in new forms.

From Washington Post • Feb. 21, 2019

In sixth grade, Miss Perry had insisted we all learn to compose proper letters in formal language.

From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023