Phrase guide

pro forma

adj · adv · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Occurring, undertaken, or performed as a perfunctory matter, in the interest of form, or for the sake of formality.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • For quotations using this term, see Citations:pro forma.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of or relating to a document of form, especially an invoice sent in advance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Showing projected costs, liabilities, etc., especially as a result of an expected action or situation. (of a financial document)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adv

Meaning 4

Undertaken or performed as a perfunctory matter, in the interest of form, or for the sake of politeness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • He greeted her pro forma.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A document that shows the standard entries of a form or similar document.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adjective satellite

Meaning 6

as a formality only

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a one-candidate pro forma election

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: perfunctory

Antonyms: none provided

7

adverb

Meaning 7

in a set manner without serious attention

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • they answered my letter pro forma
  • he kissed her cheek perfunctorily

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: perfunctorily, as a formality

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin prō fōrmā.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: voor de vorm — for the sake of form only
  • Finnish: muodon vuoksi — for the sake of form only
  • French: pour la forme — for the sake of form only
  • German: pro forma — for the sake of form only
  • German: der Form wegen — for the sake of form only
  • German: der Form halber — for the sake of form only
  • Italian: pro forma — for the sake of form only
  • Japanese: 形式的な (keishikiteki na) — for the sake of form only
  • Polish: pro forma — for the sake of form only