Definitions for formality
fɔrˈmæl ɪ tifor·mal·i·ty

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.5 / 2 votes

1. formality, formalitiesnoun

   a requirement of etiquette or custom

   "a mere formality"

2. formality, formalnessnoun

   a manner that strictly observes all forms and ceremonies

   "the formality of his voice made the others pay him close attention"

3. formalitynoun

   compliance with formal rules

   "courtroom formality"

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. formalitynoun

   The state of being formal.

2. formalitynoun

   Something said or done as a matter of form.

3. formalitynoun

   A customary ritual without new or unique meaning.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Formalitynoun

   Etymology: formalité, French, from form.

   1. Ceremony; established mode of behaviour.

   The attire, which the minister of God is by order to use at times of divine service, is but a matter of mere formality, yet such as for comeliness sake hath hitherto been judged not unnecessary. Richard Hooker, b. v. s. 29.

   Formalities of extraordinary zeal and piety are never more studied and elaborate than in desperate designs. Charles I .

   Many a worthy man sacrifices his peace to formalities of compliment and good manners. Roger L'Estrange, Fable 184.

   Nor was his attendance on divine offices a matter of formality and custom, but of conscience. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

   2. Solemn order, habit, or dress.

   If men forswear the deeds and bonds they draw,
   Though sign’d with all formality of law;
   And though the signing and the seal proclaim
   The barefac’d perjury, and fix the shame. John Dryden, Juven.

   The pretender would have infallibly landed in our northern parts, and found them all sat down in their formalities, as the Gauls did the Roman senators. Jonathan Swift.

   3. Essence; the quality by which any thing is what it is.

   To fix on God the formality of faculties, or affections, is the imposture of our fancies, and contradictory to his divinity. Joseph Glanvill, Sceps. c. 13.

   May not a man vow to A. and B. that he will give a hundred pound to an hospital? Here the vow is made both to God and to A. and B. But here A. and B. are only witnesses to the vow; but the formality of the vow lies in the promise made to God. Edward Stillingfleet, Def. of Disc. on Rom. Idol.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Formality

   A formality is an established procedure or set of specific behaviors and utterances, conceptually similar to a ritual although typically secular and less involved. A formality may be as simple as a handshake upon making new acquaintances in Western culture to the carefully defined procedure of bows, handshakes, formal greetings, and business card exchanges that may mark two businessmen being introduced in Japan. In legal and diplomatic circles, formalities include such matters as greeting an arriving head of state with the appropriate national anthem. Cultures and groups within cultures often have varying degrees of formality which can often prove a source of frustration or unintentional insult when people of different expectations or preferences interact. Those from relatively informal backgrounds may find formality to be empty and hypocritical, or unnecessarily demanding. Those from relatively formal backgrounds may find informal cultures hard to deal with, as their carefully refined and nuanced behaviors go completely unnoticed. The difference between formality and politeness is often a point of confusion for those from relatively informal cultures. On the other hand, those who have been brought up in relatively formal circumstances often experience discomfort and even, over the long term, disenchantment, in less formal circumstances.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. formality

   Formality is a set of established conventions, rules, procedures or behaviors that are socially accepted and followed in specific settings, situations or institutions. It traditionally signifies strict adherence to etiquette, decorum, and protocol. It can also refer to the degree of strictness in which these rules and conventions are applied. This can apply to various contexts such as language, dress code, behaviors, or events.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Formalitynoun

   the condition or quality of being formal, strictly ceremonious, precise, etc

2. Formalitynoun

   form without substance

3. Formalitynoun

   compliance with formal or conventional rules; ceremony; conventionality

4. Formalitynoun

   an established order; conventional rule of procedure; usual method; habitual mode

5. Formalitynoun

   the dress prescribed for any body of men, academical, municipal, or sacerdotal

6. Formalitynoun

   that which is formal; the formal part

7. Formalitynoun

   the quality which makes a thing what it is; essence

8. Formalitynoun

   the manner in which a thing is conceived or constituted by an act of human thinking; the result of such an act; as, animality and rationality are formalities

9. Etymology: [Cf. F. formalit.]

WikidataRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Formality

   Utterances, conceptually similar to a ritual although typically secular and less involved. A formality may be as simple as a handshake upon making new acquaintainces in Western culture to the carefully defined procedure of bows, handshakes, formal greetings, and business-card exchanges that may mark two businessmen being introduced in Japan. In legal and diplomatic circles, formalities include such matters as greeting an arriving head of state with the appropriate national anthem. Cultures and groups within cultures often have varying degrees of formality which can often prove a source of frustration or unintentional insult when people of different expectations or preferences interact. Those from relatively informal backgrounds may find formality to be empty and hypocritical, or unnecessarily demanding. Those from relatively formal backgrounds may find informal cultures hard to deal with, as their carefully refined and nuanced behaviors go completely unnoticed. The difference between formality and politeness is often a point of confusion for those from relatively informal cultures. On the other hand, those who have been brought up in relatively formal circumstances often experience discomfort and even, over the long-term, disenchantment, in less formal circumstances.

Matched Categories

1. • Conformity
   • Manner

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce formality?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say formality in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of formality in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of formality in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of formality in a Sentence

1. Christen Kuikoua:

   You can't claim to be a formal kidnapper and still be considered a friend; your lack of formality speaks volumes about your character, as your past actions reflect in your present behavior.

2. Ali Aslan:

   There aren't too many question marks over the case so it's more a formality.

3. Kemal Ulusoy:

   What we are seeing is not democracy, an election is only held as a formality, to give him the appearance of legitimacy. He can still do what he wants.

4. David Grayson:

   Friendship is neither a formality nor a mode it is rather a life.

5. President Juan Manuel Santos:

   When we finish the agenda points, that is to say, when everything is agreed, that is when we will send the texts to Congress and convene the plebiscite, that moment won't necessarily coincide with the signing of the accords. The signing is a formality, it can be done afterward.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=formality
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Formality
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=formality
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formality
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formality
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=formality
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=formality