sem·i·for·mal

(sĕm′ē-fôr′məl, sĕm′ī-)

adj.

1. Moderately formal: a semiformal dance.

2. Suitable or appropriate for a moderately formal occasion: semiformal attire.

Something, such as a dance, that is semiformal in nature.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

semiformal

(ˌsɛmɪˈfɔːməl)

adj

1. (of an event etc) not wholly formal, somewhat formal

2. (Clothing & Fashion) (of clothing) not wholly formal; between formal and informal in style

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

sem•i•for•mal

(ˌsɛm iˈfɔr məl, ˌsɛm aɪ-)

adj.

containing some formal elements: semiformal attire.

[1930–35]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.

semiformal - moderately formal; requiring a dinner jacket; "he wore semiformal attire"; "a black-tie dinner"

black-tie, semi-formal

formal - being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress); "pay one's formal respects"; "formal dress"; "a formal ball"; "the requirement was only formal and often ignored"; "a formal education"

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

"Lending Policies of Informal, Formal and Semiformal Lenders.

Informal credit in Vietnam: a necessity rather than an evil

Dudley-Charlton Education Foundation Fifth Annual Gala Semiformal dinner dance and auction.

Saturday/22

13th Ave.; sponsored by Eugene Young Life; $30 per dad-daughter couple, $5 for each additional daughter; group discounts and scholarships available; semiformal to formal attire; appetizers and desssert; craft opportunities for daughters; buy tickets at Hirons Drug Stores.

COMMUNITY

Presidents Banquet: Concluding the conference is this semiformal evening of excellent food and gathering with friends.

National Environmental Health Association 73rd AEC & Exhibition

Chinese meetings involve big rooms with huge armchairs and semiformal statements of position and policy.

H'wood quest: Rupee vs. Yuan: booming economies present opportunities and frustration for the West

The second requirement is the liberal use of focus groups, quality circles and semiformal breakfasts and lunches to draw out ideas from the team.

Creative banking: an oxymoron? A staid, plain bank image is not a prerequisite for financial success. On the contrary, even a small display of marketing splash, spunk or inventiveness goes a long way toward differentiating your institution from the competition

The experienced serving staff in semiformal attire is well versed in the menu and wine list.

Simply divine: metropolitan Mediterranean downtown; romantic Ophelia's on the Bay; and a sweet surprise in Towles Court

Semiformal events like the Christmas party skit or the gossip column of the monthly newsletter are a good way to nurture certain bits of folklore while allowing others to fade away.

About face: How to change organizational culture. (Streetsmart Nonprofit Manager)