formality

Examples

• All

• We shall therefore dispense with unnecessary formalities.

  Paths of Glory (1957)

• Some Hong Kong residents believed the hearings were a mere formality and not grounds for optimism.

  Academic text (1990)

• Look, you said this was just a formality, right?

  The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)

• This is really a formality more than anything else.

  A Few Good Men (1992)

• Some pictures one may take without the formality of asking permission.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Still, several people did question the formality and expense of the new businesses.

  Academic text (2012)

• "It's a small-town practice, and I think the clients expect a certain formality from lawyers," he says.

  Academic text (2001)

• Let's do away with some of these formalities.

  Kundun (1997)

• Participants indicated that IEP meetings tended to be more of a formality than a means for meeting student educational needs.

  Academic text (2006)

• Before signing the contract, there was a simple formality to complete.

Synonyms

R

ritual

vsformality

418 4.6

A fixed set of actions performed in a ceremony, often for religion

is a general established procedure used across many contexts, not only ceremonies

P

protocol

vsformality

• Formal

309 5.6

A set of formal rules for official ceremonies and diplomatic events

is a single established action or requirement rooted in custom rather than official code

R

rite

vsformality

• Formal

124 6.3

A formal ceremony often held as part of a religious tradition

is a broader established action or requirement beyond single ceremonial acts

S

solemnity

vsformality

• Formal

9 7.0

A serious, formal feeling that shows respect

is a concrete established action or rule rather than just atmosphere

C

conventionality

vsformality

1 6.9

Following accepted customs and usual ways of doing things

is a concrete action or rule that is followed by convention

C

customariness

vsformality

7.7

A way people usually do something that has lasted a long time

is a specific established action or procedure following rules or etiquette

F

formalness

vsformality

• Formal

6.0

A quality of following set social rules and polite behavior

is an established procedure often done from tradition or etiquette

C

ceremoniousness

vsformality

• Formal

8.5

A way of acting that is very formal and polite, often during ceremonies

is about an established rule or procedure rather than merely polite manner

Antonyms

I

informality

4 4.9

A relaxed, casual way of behaving without strict rules

C

casualness

3 3.7

A relaxed, informal attitude that is not strict

How Formal

ceremony

901 2.5

formality

66 4.4

routine

354 1.0

informality

4 4.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology