formally UK /ˈfɔː.mə.li/US /ˈfɔɹ.mə.li/ adverb3 •In a formal manner.He was dressed too formally for the occasion. •In accordance with official procedure.He formally filed a complaint, which involved much paperwork. •In accordance with rigorous rules.He proved it formally but gave his students no intuitive feel for the matter. formsmore formally · most formally