Dictionary

formality en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /fɔːrˈmælɪti/

Etymology

From Middle French formalité. equivalent to formal + -ity.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The state of being formal.
   • [S]uch an one […] recalls as a vision of Paradise the land he has learnt to love; he exaggerates the insalubrity of a northern climate; he bewails the wretched formality of our civilised life, and so, back to the distant solitudes flies his recollection like a dove to the wilderness. 1874, Georg August Schweinfurth, chapter I, in Ellen E. Frewer, transl., The Heart of Africa: Three Years' Travels and Adventures in the Unexplored Regions of Central Africa, from 1868 to 1871, second edition, volume I, London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low, And Searle, translation of Im Herzen von Afrika, Botanical Ardour:
2. (countable, uncountable) Something said or done as a matter of form.
3. (countable, uncountable) A customary ritual without substance, real consequence, or unique meaning.
   • The examination for priesthood is no mere formality, so we have to study well.
4. (countable) A specific requirement for obtaining a legal status, conducting a transaction, etc.
   • I expected some sort of formality before they let me see the crown—so valuable—but there was really nothing at all. I just said, "Can I see No. 64, please?" and he simply pulled one of the shallow drawers out of its case and put it down before me on the table. 1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries:

Forms

Deriveds

semiformality

Translations (46)

ca formalisme (The state of being formal) · fr formalité (The state of being formal) · es formalidad (The state of being formal) · cs formálnost (A customary ritual without new or unique meaning) · uk форма́льність (A customary ritual without new or unique meaning) · gl formalidade (specific requirement) · sv formalitet (The state of being formal) · sv formalitet (A customary ritual without new or unique meaning) · es formalidad (specific requirement) · fr formalité (specific requirement) · ka ფორმალობა (specific requirement) · ka ფორმალურობა (The state of being formal) · cs formálnost (The state of being formal) · ca formalitat (The state of being formal) · cs formalita (A customary ritual without new or unique meaning) · tr sizlibizlilik (The state of being formal) · nb formalitet (specific requirement) · fi formaliteetit (specific requirement) · ga foirmiúlacht (The state of being formal) · gl formalidade (The state of being formal) · cs formalita (specific requirement) · da højtidelighed (The state of being formal) · uk форма́льність (The state of being formal) · bg формализъм (The state of being formal) · ru форма́льность (specific requirement) · da formalitet (The state of being formal) · sv formalia (specific requirement) · eo formalaĵo (Something said or done as a matter of form) · nb formalitet (The state of being formal) · da formalitet (specific requirement) · da stivhed (The state of being formal) · nn formalitet (The state of being formal) · tr ciddiyet (The state of being formal) · de Formalität (A customary ritual without new or unique meaning) · ca formalitat (specific requirement) · cs formálnost (specific requirement) · nn formalitet (specific requirement) · fi muodollisuudet (specific requirement) · tr resmiyet (The state of being formal) · pl formalność (specific requirement) · ar شَكْلِيَّة (A customary ritual without new or unique meaning) · ru форма́льность (The state of being formal) · sv formalitet (Something said or done as a matter of form) · uk форма́льність (specific requirement) · pl formalność (A customary ritual without new or unique meaning) · tr formalite (The state of being formal)