"___ official . . ." (3)
'official' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for formal that I've seen before include "Conforming to accepted rules or customs" , "Ceremonious or official" , "Stately or official" , "black tie" , "Essential" .)
(Other definitions for its that I've seen before include "Belonging to something nonhuman" , "Neuter possessive pronoun" , "The thing's" , "Another form of 'tis" , "Sit (anag.)" .)