Formal vs. Prom
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Prom
A promenade dance, commonly called a prom, is a dance party of high school students. It may be offered in semi-formal black tie or informal suit for boys, with dresses for girls. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year (the last year of high school). Proms figure greatly in popular culture and are major events among high school students. There may be individual senior (12th grade) and junior (11th grade) proms or they may be combined.
At a prom, a "prom king" and a "prom queen" may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-wide vote prior to the prom. Other students may be honored with inclusion in a prom court. The selection method for a prom court is similar to that of homecoming queen/princess, king, and court. Inclusion in a prom court may be a reflection of popularity of those students elected and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports.
The "prom queen" and "prom king" may be given crowns to wear. Members of the prom court may be given sashes to wear and photographed together.Similar events, which may be locally inspired by debutante balls, take place in many other parts of the world. In Canada, the terms "formal" and "Grad" are often used, while in Australia and New Zealand, the terms school formal and ball are most commonly used for occasions equivalent to the American prom, and the event is usually held for students in Year 12, although the bestowing of the regal titles does not occur. Many schools hold a formal graduation ball for finishing students at the end of the year in place of or as well as a formal. In Ireland a debutante ball or debs may also be held. In Poland, high schools organize a "studniówka". The term "prom" is becoming more common in the United Kingdom and Canada because of the influence of American films and television shows.
Formal (adjective)
Being in accord with established forms.
"She spoke formal English, without any dialect."
Formal (adjective)
Official.
"I'd like to make a formal complaint."
Formal (adjective)
Relating to the form or structure of something.
"Formal linguistics ignores the vocabulary of languages and focuses solely on their grammar."
Formal (adjective)
Relating to formation.
"The formal stage is a critical part of any child's development."
Formal (adjective)
Ceremonial or traditional.
"Formal wear must be worn at my wedding!"
Formal (adjective)
Proper, according to strict etiquette; not casual.
"He's always very formal, and I wish he'd relax a bit."
Formal (adjective)
Organized; well-structured and planned.
"When they became a formal club the rowers built a small boathouse."
Formal (adjective)
Relating to mere manipulation and construction of strings of symbols, without regard to their meaning.
"Formal series are defined without any reference to convergence."
Formal (noun)
Formalin.
Formal (noun)
An evening gown.
Formal (noun)
An event with a formal dress code.
"Jenny took Sam to her Year 12 formal."
Formal (noun)
A formal parameter.
Prom (noun)
a promenade concert
Prom (noun)
promenade
Prom (noun)
a formal ball held at a high school or college on special occasions, e.g. near the end of the academic year
Formal (noun)
See Methylal.
Formal (adjective)
Belonging to the form, shape, frame, external appearance, or organization of a thing.
Formal (adjective)
Belonging to the constitution of a thing, as distinguished from the matter composing it; having the power of making a thing what it is; constituent; essential; pertaining to or depending on the forms, so called, of the human intellect.
Formal (adjective)
Done in due form, or with solemnity; according to regular method; not incidental, sudden or irregular; express; as, he gave his formal consent.
Formal (adjective)
Devoted to, or done in accordance with, forms or rules; punctilious; regular; orderly; methodical; of a prescribed form; exact; prim; stiff; ceremonious; as, a man formal in his dress, his gait, his conversation.
Formal (adjective)
Having the form or appearance without the substance or essence; external; as, formal duty; formal worship; formal courtesy, etc.
Formal (adjective)
Dependent in form; conventional.
Formal (adjective)
Sound; normal.
Formal (adjective)
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"
Formal (adjective)
characteristic of or befitting a person in authority;
"formal duties"
"an official banquet"
Formal (adjective)
(of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms;
"the paper was written in formal English"
Formal (adjective)
represented in simplified or symbolic form
Formal (adjective)
logically deductive;
"formal proof"
Formal (adjective)
refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court;
"a courtly gentleman"
Prom (noun)
a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year
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