: compliance with formal or conventional rules : ceremony
2
: the quality or state of being formal
3
: an established form or procedure that is required or conventional
the interview was just a formality
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Formal behavior follows the proper forms or customs, and informal behavior feels free to ignore them. The formality of a dinner party is indicated by such formalities as invitations, required dress, and full table settings. Legal formalities, or technicalities, may turn out to be all-important even if they often seem minor. America requires fewer formalities than many other countries (in Germany, for example, you may know someone for years before using his or her first name), but even in relaxed situations Americans may be observing invisible formalities.
Her use of old-fashioned language lends an air of formality to her writing.
He failed to appreciate the formality of the occasion.
They haven't approved the loan yet, but that's just a mere formality.
Recent Examples on the WebTo be finalized, the deal must now be signed by the judge overseeing the case, though that step is formality.—Bill Donahue, Billboard, 2 May 2024 Suffering from excruciating gout, old enough to be James Madison’s or Alexander Hamilton’s grandfather, comfortable in a little fur hat from Canada, Douglas’s Franklin captures the birth of an enduring American impatience with honorifics and formality.—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for formality
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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