semiformal

English

Black tie is a typical example of semiformal wear.

Alternative forms

• semi-formal

Etymology

From semi- +‎ formal.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌsɛmɪˈfɔːml/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌsɛˌmaɪˈfɔrm(ə)l/, /ˌsɛmiˈfɔrm(ə)l/

Adjective

semiformal (not comparable)

1. Somewhat formal.
   • 2006, Stanislaw Raczynski, Modeling and Simulation: The Computer Science of Illusion, page 31:

     The HLA defines the rules of interoperability, a semiformal methodology for specifying simulation and federation object classes, and the interface specification that is a precise specification of the functional actions that a simulation may invoke.

   • 2007, Valery Garrett, Chinese Dress: From the Qing Dynasty to the Present, page 40:

     When wearing the dragon robe on semiformal occasions, a single necklace was appropriate. Only the empress or empress dowager could wear a main necklace formed of Manchurian pearls, the other two being made of coral.

2. (Canada, US, specifically) Of clothing: having a level of formality between that of informal and formal wear.
   • 2005, Williams Friar, Panama, 1st edition, Emeryville, C.A.: Moon Handbooks, →ISBN, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 528:

     Suits have largely replaced guayabera shirts as business and semiformal wear for middle and upper-class Panamanian men, made practical by the widespread use of air-conditioning in the cities.

3. (Canada, US, specifically) Of an event: having a semiformal dress code.
   • 2006, Marcia King-Gamble, Designed for You, New York, N.Y.: Kimani Press, →ISBN, page 32:

     The skirt was way too short, at least shorter than she preferred. It left exposed a good eight inches between her knee and thigh. But what choice did she really have? Casual cropped pants were hardly appropriate attire for a semiformal event.

Noun

semiformal (plural semiformals)

1. (Canada, US) A social event in which one is expected to dress in semiformal wear.
   • 2010, Amanda Hocking, Switched (Trylle Trilogy; 3), New York, N.Y.: St. Martin's Griffin, published 2012, →ISBN, page 9:

     Bright-colored flyers decorated battered lockers, telling everyone to join the debate team, try out for the school play, and not to miss the fall semiformal this Friday. I wondered what a "semiformal" consisted of at a public school, not that I'd bothered to ask anyone.

See also

• half dress

Anagrams

• oriflammes

Spanish

Adjective

semiformal m or f (masculine and feminine plural semiformales)

1. semiformal