formally
1 antonyms and opposites of formally, grouped by meaning.
Adv — In an official or proper way.
Antonyms
Etymology
From formal + -ly.
Full origin of formally →Frequently asked questions
What does “formally” mean?
The word “formally” means in an official or proper way. In plain terms, officially or according to accepted, proper procedure.
How do you pronounce “formally”?
“Formally” is pronounced FAW-muh-lee (/ˈfɔɹ.mə.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “formally” in a sentence?
Here is “formally” used in a sentence: “The mayor formally opened the new library.”
What is the opposite of “formally”?
The opposite of “formally” — its antonyms — is informally.
What part of speech is “formally”?
“Formally” is an adverb.
Is “formally” a common word?
“Formally” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between formally and formerly?
Formally means in an official or proper way, as in "the deal was formally approved." Formerly means previously or in the past, as in "the company was formerly based in London." They sound almost identical, which is why the two are so often confused in writing.
Is it "formerly known as" or "formally known as"?
When you mean that something used to have a different name, the phrase is "formerly known as," using the adverb that means previously. "Formally known as" is also possible English, but it means "officially known as" — the proper or official name — so the two phrases make different claims.
When should you use formally instead of officially?
The words overlap when describing official action, and either fits in a sentence like "the merger was formally approved." Formally also covers manner and etiquette — dressing formally or speaking formally — where officially would not work, so formally is the broader choice.