formalese

F4O1R1M3A1L1E1S1E1

noun

The style of language used in formal contexts.

Scrabble 14
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Meanings

nounformalese (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe style of language used in formal contexts.

    In the intricate formalese that marked relations between friends of the time, Mr. Washburn told Miss Hyde of his appreciation for a previous letter of hers and remarked on how it had buoyed up his spirit.

    1946 December 6, “Letter Written in 1842 Tells of Life in Stowe”, in The Daily Messenger, number 274, St. Albans, Vt., page 4-A

Origin

From formal + -ese.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

formalese. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formalese

MLA

“formalese.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formalese. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “formalese,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formalese.

Source: formalese on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.