Definitions and Examples of formal, stilted, awkward
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Following established conventions or rules, often in a serious or professional context.
Example
The job interview required a formal dress code and a professional demeanor.
Artificially formal or stiff, lacking naturalness or spontaneity.
Example
His speech sounded stilted and rehearsed, as if he had memorized every word.
Causing discomfort or embarrassment due to a lack of ease or grace in social situations.
Example
The silence between them was awkward and tense, as if neither knew what to say.
Key Differences: formal vs stilted vs awkward
- 1Formal refers to a style of communication that follows established conventions or rules, often in a serious or professional context.
- 2Stilted describes a communication style that is artificially formal or stiff, lacking naturalness or spontaneity.
- 3Awkward describes a situation or communication style that causes discomfort or embarrassment due to a lack of ease or grace in social situations.
Effective Usage of formal, stilted, awkward
- 1Professional Settings: Use formal language and behavior in professional settings such as job interviews, meetings, or presentations.
- 2Casual Conversations: Use conversational language and tone in casual conversations with friends, family, or acquaintances.
- 3Creative Writing: Use stilted or awkward language and dialogue to create tension, humor, or irony in creative writing.
Remember this!
The antonyms of conversational have distinct nuances: Formal refers to a serious or professional style, stilted describes an artificial or rehearsed style, and awkward denotes a lack of ease or grace in social situations. Use these words to adapt your communication style to different contexts, create tension or humor in creative writing, or convey different tones and levels of familiarity.
