formality
condition or quality of being formal; accordance with required or traditional rules, procedures, etc.; conventionality.
rigorously methodical character.
strict adherence to established rules and procedures; rigidity.
observance of form or ceremony.
marked or excessive ceremoniousness.
an established order or method of proceeding: the formalities of judicial process.
a formal act or observance.
something done merely or mainly for form's sake; a requirement of custom or etiquette: the formality of a thank-you note.
Origin of formality
1Other words for formality
Words Nearby formality
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use formality in a sentence
Aside from establishing the level of formality, those giving weddings must rely on the judgment of the participants.
Miss Manners: Declining help from the unmasked | Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin | February 8, 2021 | Washington PostCurrently, thousands of troops are stationed inside and outside the building, and the situational response is taking on a formality and sophistication akin to a military operation.
Police are flying surveillance over Washington. Where were they last week? | Tate Ryan-Mosley | January 18, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewIn reality, Pence does have a role to play when Congress meets to certify the Electoral College’s votes on January 6, but it is more a formality than anything.
While it’s only a formality at this point, the state Legislature still needs to confirm Assemblywoman Shirley Weber as secretary of state.
With less formality and more announcements than any other prestige show, the video games industry has an awards show that tries to be its mirror.
The Game Awards hosted Zoom calls with hundreds of fans. They were surprisingly orderly. | Gene Park | December 10, 2020 | Washington Post
It was both stylish and somber while being suitably grand for the formality of the occasion.
Or so the chapter titles formally name him, in a nod, perhaps, to his pained formality.
Early marriage is mostly a formality, but girls traditionally leave school at that time.
FDR wanted to project easy grace rather than stiff formality—especially when communicating complicated matters.
These cities want to be the next London, and when they look at that city, they see order and formality.
It is not, however, the incident in itself that is now referred to, but only the formality ascribed to it in the narrative.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayAccustomed to a written character, their eyes became wearied by the crabbedness and formality of type.
With great deliberation and much formality Wu-pom Nai proceeded to loosen the boy's heavy plaits of hair.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeBy-and-by all pretence of formality and order is put aside and the battle really begins.
Before I could reply, the door flew open without the formality of a knock, and old Mrs. Bolum ran in.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
British Dictionary definitions for formality
/ (fɔːˈmælɪtɪ) /
a requirement of rule, custom, etiquette, etc
the condition or quality of being formal or conventional
strict or excessive observance of form, ceremony, etc
an established, proper, or conventional method, act, or procedure
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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