formalism

1 of 3

noun (1)

for·​mal·​ism ˈfȯr-mə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to prescribed or external forms (as in religion or art)

also : an instance of this

2

: marked attention to arrangement, style, or artistic means (as in art or literature) usually with corresponding de-emphasis of content

formalist

ˈfȯr-mə-list 

noun or adjective

formalistic

ˌfȯr-mə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

formalist

2 of 3

noun (2)

for·​mal·​ist -lə̇st 

plural -s

1

: a person who adopts as a matter of form the current opinions and modes of action : timeserver

2

a

: one overattentive to forms or too much confined to them

b

: one given to formalism : a formal person

often : an advocate or proponent of a theory of formalism

3

: one that gives form : a form-giving power or element

the sun and moon, the great formalists in the sky

—R. W. Emerson

formalist

3 of 3

adjective

"

: of or relating to formalists : formalistic

Examples of formalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cementing his commitment to formalism, Radić (who is of Croatian and British heritage) established in 2017 the Fundación de Arquitectura Frágil, a workshop within his Santiago studio to promote experimentation in architecture — however loosely construed. —Kriston Capps, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026

This follows the swing toward formalism in other parts of the house. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026

There is no formalism, no repeating motifs, only a rush of motion meant to read as naturalistic to contemporary audiences. —Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026

In a 2001 interview with the film journal Senses of Cinema, Tarr acknowledged the thematic and aesthetic shift in these later works, their pivot away from social realism and toward a moody, magisterial formalism. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

formal entry 1 + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for formalism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids Definition

formalism

noun

for·​mal·​ism ˈfȯr-mə-ˌliz-əm 

: the strict observance of forms or customs

formalist

-ləst 

noun

formalistic

ˌfȯr-mə-ˈlis-tik 

adjective

formalistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb