Definition of formality Formality

/fɔɹmæˈlʌti/ - [formatlutee] - for•mal•i•ty

We found 15 definitions of formality from 4 different sources.

What does formality mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: formalities
formality - a manner that strictly observes all forms and ceremonies; "the formality of his voice made the others pay him close attention"
		formalness
		informality a manner that does not take forms and ceremonies seriously
		formal being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress); "pay one's formal respects"; "formal dress"; "a formal ball"; "the requirement was only formal and often ignored"; "a formal education"
		informal not formal; "conservative people unaccustomed to informal dress"; "an informal free-and-easy manner"; "an informal gathering of friends"
		formal being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress); "pay one's formal respects"; "formal dress"; "a formal ball"; "the requirement was only formal and often ignored"; "a formal education"
		informal not formal; "conservative people unaccustomed to informal dress"; "an informal free-and-easy manner"; "an informal gathering of friends"
		personal manner, manner a way of acting or behaving
		ceremoniousness a ceremonial manner
formality - compliance with formal rules; "courtroom formality"
		abidance, compliance, conformation, conformity the act of abiding (enduring without yielding)
formality - a requirement of etiquette or custom; "a mere formality"
		formalities
		ceremonial, ceremonial occasion, ceremony, observance any activity that is performed in an especially solemn elaborate or formal way; "the ceremony of smelling the cork and tasting the wine"; "he makes a ceremony of addressing his golf ball"; "he disposed of it without ceremony"

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Wiktionary

formality (Noun)
The state of being formal.
formality (Noun)
Something said or done as a matter of form.
formality (Noun)
A customary ritual without new or unique meaning.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

formality (n.)
The condition or quality of being formal, strictly ceremonious, precise, etc.
formality (n.)
Form without substance.
formality (n.)
Compliance with formal or conventional rules; ceremony; conventionality.
formality (n.)
An established order; conventional rule of procedure; usual method; habitual mode.
formality (n.)
The dress prescribed for any body of men, academical, municipal, or sacerdotal.
formality (n.)
That which is formal; the formal part.
formality (n.)
The quality which makes a thing what it is; essence.
formality (n.)
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.