formality

American  

[fawr-mal-i-tee] / fɔrˈmæl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

formalities

1. condition or quality of being formal; accordance with required or traditional rules, procedures, etc.; conventionality.

2. rigorously methodical character.

3. strict adherence to established rules and procedures; rigidity.

4. observance of form or ceremony.

5. marked or excessive ceremoniousness.

6. an established order or method of proceeding.

   the formalities of judicial process.

7. a formal act or observance.

   Synonyms:

   ceremony, ritual, rite

8. something done merely or mainly for form's sake; a requirement of custom or etiquette.

   the formality of a thank-you note.

---

formality British  

/ fɔːˈmælɪtɪ /

noun

1. a requirement of rule, custom, etiquette, etc

2. the condition or quality of being formal or conventional

3. strict or excessive observance of form, ceremony, etc

4. an established, proper, or conventional method, act, or procedure

---

Etymology

Origin of formality

From the Latin word fōrmālitās, dating back to 1525–35. See formal ¹, -ity

Example Sentences

The morgue at Galle could handle about 25 bodies at a time and the authorities were rushing freezer shipping containers to preserve the remains until legal formalities were completed.

From Barron's

‘My full name is Willem Jansen,’ he said with such an awkward kind of formality it nearly made me laugh.

From Literature

His election to the Hall of Fame will be a formality.

From Los Angeles Times

“We do things a little differently here. Our staff and student group in the mountain is so small that the formality of the Academy felt out of place, so we have all relaxed a bit.”

From Literature

But with an overstuffed field of nine major Democratic contenders — San José Mayor Matt Mahan was said to have entered the contest too late for consideration — the vote proved to be a mere formality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• procedure
• red tape
• rite
• ritual