The term 'FORMAL HIGH SCHOOL DANCE' is often used to refer to a PROM, which is a four-letter word. Proms are formal dances held by high schools in the United States and other countries. They are usually held at the end of the school year and are attended by students in their best formal attire. Proms are often seen as a rite of passage for high school students, and they are typically celebrated with music, dancing, and food.