What does "formalism" mean?
Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc.
Formalism
/ˈfɔɹml̩ˌɪzm̩/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc.
- Grammar: formalism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: academicism, academism, aesthetic formalism, celebration.
- Useful contrasts: phenomenological aesthetics, anticking, art-historical criticism.
- Usage evidence: Heisenberg seems to have been motivated by his intense annoyance that Schrödinger's more intuitive version of quantum theory was more widely accepted than his own, even though both formalisms led to the same results.
How to use "formalism"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "formalism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "formalism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "formalism" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "formalism" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "formalism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "academicism" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "formalism", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc. countable, uncountable
- 2 the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms wordnet
- 3 One of several alternative computational paradigms for a given theory. countable, uncountable
- 4 the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented wordnet
- 5 An approach to interpretation and/or evaluation focused on the (usually linguistic) structure of a literary work rather than on the contexts of its origin or reception. countable, uncountable
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 (philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form that has useful applications wordnet
- 7 The tendency to elevate formal above expressive value in music, as in serialism. countable, uncountable
- 8 A particular mathematical or scientific theory or description of a given state or effect. countable, uncountable
"Heisenberg seems to have been motivated by his intense annoyance that Schrödinger's more intuitive version of quantum theory was more widely accepted than his own, even though both formalisms led to the same results."
- 9 A formal expression of a grammar; a formal grammar; a set of rules of syntax that, without reference to semantics, determine whether a sequence of symbols is a well-formed sentence in a given formal language. countable, uncountable
"Dirac approaches quantum mechanics by means of a so-called symbolic method, the bracket formalism. Although this formalism has a mathematical flavour, in fact, it is based upon bold claims which lack mathematical foundation."
- 10 The ontological view of mathematics as a mere collection of string manipulation rules. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Heisenberg seems to have been motivated by his intense annoyance that Schrödinger's more intuitive version of quantum theory was more widely accepted than his own, even though both formalisms led to the same results."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "formalism"?
Common synonyms include: academicism, academism, aesthetic formalism, celebration, classicality, cult.
How do you use "formalism" in a sentence?
Heisenberg seems to have been motivated by his intense annoyance that Schrödinger's more intuitive version of quantum theory was more widely accepted than his own, even though both formalisms led to the same results.
How do you pronounce "formalism"?
Pronounced /ˈfɔɹml̩ˌɪzm̩/.
Etymology
From formal + -ism.