Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
902,742,224 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

formality

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
for·mal·i·ty  (fôr-ml-t)
n. pl. for·mal·i·ties
1. The quality or condition of being formal.
2. Rigorous or ceremonious adherence to established forms, rules, or customs.
3. An established form, rule, or custom, especially one followed merely for the sake of procedure or decorum.

formality
Noun
pl -ties
1. something done as a requirement of custom or good manners: he dealt with the formalities regarding the cremation
2. a necessary procedure without real effect: trials were often a mere formality with the verdict decided beforehand
3. strict observance of ceremony
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.formality - a requirement of etiquette or custom; "a mere formality"
ceremonial, ceremonial occasion, ceremony, observance - a formal event performed on a special occasion; "a ceremony commemorating Pearl Harbor"
2.formality - a manner that strictly observes all forms and ceremonies; "the formality of his voice made the others pay him close attention"
personal manner, manner - a way of acting or behaving
ceremoniousness - a ceremonial manner
stateliness - an elaborate manner of doing something; "she served coffee with great stateliness"
informality - a manner that does not take forms and ceremonies seriously
3.formality - compliance with formal rules; "courtroom formality"
abidance, compliance, conformity, conformation - acting according to certain accepted standards; "their financial statements are in conformity with generally accepted accounting practices"
person of color, person of colour - (formal) any non-European non-white person
herald, trumpeter - (formal) a person who announces important news; "the chieftain had a herald who announced his arrival with a trumpet"
slough of despond - (formal) extreme depression
in that, in this, therein - (formal) in or into that thing or place; "they can read therein what our plans are"
hereby, herewith - (formal) by means of this; "I hereby declare you man and wife"

formality
Translations
Spanish formality [fɔːˈmælɪtɪ] nceremonia
French formality [fɔːˈmælɪtɪ] formal nformalité f, cérémonie(s) f(pl)
German formality [fɔːˈmælɪtɪ] formal nFörmlichkeit f;
(procedure) → Formalität f

Italian formality [fɔːˈmælɪtɪ] nformalità f inv

?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
I think that even then I had an instinctive doubt whether formlessness was really better than formality.
All constraint and formality quickly disappeared, and the friendliest feeling succeeded.
In love affairs, there is no mediator like a merry, simple-hearted child - ever ready to cement divided hearts, to span the unfriendly gulf of custom, to melt the ice of cold reserve, and overthrow the separating walls of dread formality and pride.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.