Did you know?
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.
Examples of formality in a Sentence
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
The general election in the heavily Democratic district was a political formality.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
Formula One presenter Lawrence Barretto has revealed that the Cadillac F1 team has finalized its driver lineup for the 2026 season with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, and only the formalities remain pending before an announcement is made.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
The dress code has relaxed from the tuxedos and ballgowns of yore, but there’s still an appealing formality, as in the afternoon tea with real clotted cream served by tuxedoed waitstaff in the windowed Palm Court lounge area.
—AFAR Media, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Cite this Entry
“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formality. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formality
noun
Share