Formality

//fɔːrˈmælɪti// noun

noun ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The state of being formal. uncountable

    "[S]uch an one […] recalls as a vision of Paradise the land he has learnt to love; he exaggerates the insalubrity of a northern climate; he bewails the wretched formality of our civilised life, and so, back to the distant solitudes flies his recollection like a dove to the wilderness."

  2. 2
    compliance with formal rules wordnet
  3. 3
    Something said or done as a matter of form. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    a manner that strictly observes all forms and ceremonies wordnet
  5. 5
    A customary ritual without substance, real consequence, or unique meaning. countable, uncountable

    "The examination for priesthood is no mere formality, so we have to study well."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    a requirement of etiquette or custom wordnet
  2. 7
    A specific requirement for obtaining a legal status, conducting a transaction, etc. countable

Synonyms

All synonyms
actbaccalaureate servicebienseancebillbylawcanon

Example

More examples

"In general, young people dislike formality."

Etymology

From Middle French formalité. equivalent to formal + -ity.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.