formality

American  

[fawr-mal-i-tee] / fɔrˈmæl ɪ ti /

noun

• formalities
  plural

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• formalities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of formality

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

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Explanation

A formality is something that follows traditional rules. Even though you knew your request for time off at work would be approved, you still went through the formality of filling out all the required paperwork. Formality also means to align with customs or etiquette. In this way, a formality is often something that's more symbolic than necessary. For example, when a big group sits down to eat dinner together, no one starts eating until everyone is served. That formality of dining etiquette is a sign of good manners and consideration for others. If you're British, a formality of your culture is to curtsy or bow when you meet the Queen.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

formality formalities

An appeal from City is expected to be a formality.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

David has one errand of conscience before he goes to the clinic—he apologizes to a friend he once betrayed—but otherwise approaches death with the formality of a man keeping a schedule.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

“The expectation for formality is different in law or finance.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

After giving birth, Shakhnoza Nazarova thought registering her daughter's name would be a mere formality.

From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026

There is to their pose an aristocratic formality, an elegant Latin hauteur.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

The man submitted to standard airport health screening in Nairobi, and passed through immigration formalities, officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Haakon's wife, Queen Mette-Marit, was absent from the formalities as she continues to recover from a lung transplant.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

“There are some formalities to it,” said Saltarelli.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026

He just wants to talk music, and he's not worried about formalities or titles.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

I attended to all the ghastly formalities, and the urbane undertaker proved that his staff were afflicted—or blessed—with something of his own obsequious suavity.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

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Related Words

• procedure
• red tape
• rite
• ritual

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