'formally-educated' originates from the combination of 'formal' and 'educated'. 'Formal' comes from Latin 'formalis', meaning 'pertaining to form', and 'educated' comes from Latin 'educatus', meaning 'brought up or trained'.

'formalis' transformed into the Old French word 'formel', and eventually became the modern English word 'formal'. 'Educatus' transformed into the Old French word 'educer', and eventually became the modern English word 'educate'.

Initially, 'formal' meant 'pertaining to form', and 'educated' meant 'brought up or trained'. Over time, 'formally-educated' evolved to mean having received education in a structured environment.