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formality

[fawr-mal-i-tee]

Example Sentences Origin

noun, plural -ties.

condition or quality of being formal; accordance with required or traditional rules, procedures, etc.; conventionality.

rigorously methodical character.

strict adherence to established rules and procedures; rigidity.

observance of form or ceremony.

marked or excessive ceremoniousness.

EXPAND

an established order or method of proceeding: the formalities of judicial process.

a formal act or observance.

something done merely or mainly for form's sake; a requirement of custom or etiquette: the formality of a thank-you note.

COLLAPSE

Origin:
1525–35; < Latin fōrmālitās. See formal¹, -ity

Synonyms
7. rite, ritual, ceremony.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To formality

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Formality is always a great word to know.

So is ort. Does it mean:

a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.

a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.

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Example Sentences

Suit makers, suit sellers and the press have been trumpeting the return of business formality for a year now.

Perhaps it is more left coast, but it seems that quality and currency count more than formality.

Its intracacies with respect to formality apparently had some sort of effect on me.

EXPAND

Suit makers, suit sellers and the press have been trumpeting the return of business formality for a year now.

Perhaps it is more left coast, but it seems that quality and currency count more than formality.

Its intracacies with respect to formality apparently had some sort of effect on me.

Giving circles range in formality from potluck dinners to incorporated nonprofit organizations.

The waterfalls don't stand on formality or any kind of artsy airs.

The formality of the pool also enhances the contrast.

We really want to get out of the formality of product launches.

But the meetings might not be much more than a formality.

Later in the conversation, you can usually relax the formality.

Some even go through the formality of an online prescription.

It's a really sweet look--adds a little formality to the orchard--and is a good use of this sturdy, undemanding plant.

Young women continue to reinvent fashion, creating a style that reflects their era and discards yesterday's formality.

Adopt appropriate voice, tone, and level of formality.

Formality has nothing to do with talent, creativity, work ethic or anything else genuinely worthwhile.

Nor is there any formality which might be regarded as an equivalent.

These meetings will range in formality from a casual chatfest to a structured interview with printed questions.

If the friendliness is disconcerting, so is the formality.

The memo is regarded as a formality but does allow the union leverage to walk out of talks.

Late at night, formality disappears as drinks flow and tongues loosen.

His reception lacked the formality of former affairs of the sort, but lacked nothing in warmth.

But it reinvented itself by dismissing the order, formality and stillness of the old stores.

No one bothers with the formality of his first name, only the sharp exhale of his last.

His preference was for the wild and natural, not for formality or ornamental flowerbeds.

Re-election this year was supposed to be a formality.

The degree of formality you should use will be largely influenced by how well you know the person.

Ad people invariably go through the formality of conducting seemingly exhaustive research, which they subsequently ignore.

Systems that require consensus can get away with less formality.

Accustomed as they are to random murders, the formality of the occasion and the importance of the players seem alarming.

Despite journalists taking up only two of the fifty or so chairs, officials stuck with the formality of a press conference.

Brokaw'a presence without the formality of announcing him.

My take on all the honorifics and formality is not a matter of politeness but a symptom of a well-earned insecurity.

We sought a certain romantic formality in what has become an informal and wholly nonromantic world.

It could last for generations and end gradually without the formality that ended both world wars.

The heavy formality of the transaction between photographer and subject announces itself.

The new era calls for a new definition of formality.

The dance perfectly captures their desire, while its stylized formality also expresses her restraint and sense of propriety.

Anson, however, feels stifled by the formality of the day and takes a brief sabbatical in the outside world.

The situations illustrate how the atmosphere in the workplace has changed from one of formality to one of laissez faire.

Plentiful use of molding further emphasizes formality and tradition.

COLLAPSE

Collins

World English Dictionary

formality (fɔːˈmælɪtɪ)

—n , pl -ties
1.	a requirement of rule, custom, etiquette, etc
2.	the condition or quality of being formal or conventional
3.	strict or excessive observance of form, ceremony, etc
4.	an established, proper, or conventional method, act, or procedure

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

formality

1530s, from M.Fr. formalité, from L. formalis formal (see formal). Originally literary form; meaning something done for the sake of form is from 1590s. Related: Formalities.

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formality

for·mal·i·ty