If you say that an action or procedure is just a formality, you mean that it is done only because it is normally done, and that it will not have any real effect on the situation.
He would not go as far as confirming his appointment, but that appears to be a mereformality.
2. countable noun [usually plural]
Formalities are formal actions or procedures that are carried out as part of a particular activity or event.
They are whisked through the immigration and customs formalities in a matter of minutes.
3. See also formal
More Synonyms of formality
formality in British English
(fɔːˈmælɪtɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-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
formality in American English
(fɔrˈmæləti)
noun
1.
the quality or state of being formal
; specif.,
a.
a following or observing of prescribed customs, rules, ceremonies, etc.; propriety
b.
careful or too careful attention to order, regularity, precision, or conventionality; stiffness
2. Word forms: pluralforˈmalities
a formal or conventional act or requirement; ceremony or form, often without practical meaning
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcereˌmony
Word origin
Fr formalité
Examples of 'formality' in a sentence
formality
We were now free to begin the customs formalities.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The thoughtful formality of etiquette is a blessed relief.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
That was more than a mere formality.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Such acts were not mere formalities: they publicly established rather than just reflected hierarchies and alliances.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
It is goods that are important; money and financial considerations are a mere formality.
Aganbegyan, Abel Inside Perestroika: The Future of the Soviet Economy (1990)
He would not go as far as confirming his appointment, but that appears to be a mere formality.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Victory seemed like a formality.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This is no mere formality.
Christianity Today (2000)
I like formality, customs and good manners.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Come London, a gold medal seems a formality.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His place on the tour of South Africa seemed a formality but when the team was announced he had been left out.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
formality
British English: formality /fɔːˈmælɪtɪ/ NOUN
Formality is speech or behaviour which is correct and serious, rather than relaxed and friendly, and is used especially in official situations.
We wanted to avoid the formality of hotels, so we went camping.
American English: formality
Arabic: إجْرَاءٌ شَكْلِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: formalidade
Chinese: 礼节
Croatian: formalnost
Czech: formalita
Danish: formalitet
Dutch: formaliteit
European Spanish: formalidad
Finnish: muodollisuus
French: formalité
German: Formalität
Greek: τυπικότητα
Italian: formalità
Japanese: 儀礼的行為
Korean: 격식
Norwegian: formalitet
Polish: formalność
European Portuguese: formalidade
Romanian: formalitate
Russian: формальность
Latin American Spanish: formalidad
Swedish: formalitet
Thai: ความเป็นทางการ
Turkish: formalite
Ukrainian: формальність
Vietnamese: bài diễn văn/hành động trịnh trọng
Chinese translation of 'formality'
formality
(fɔːˈmælɪtɪ)
n
(c)形式 (xíngshì) (种(種), zhǒng)
(u) (= politeness) 礼(禮)节(節) (lǐjié)
Derived Forms
formalitiesn pl (= procedures) 手续(續) (shǒuxù)
1 (noun)
Definition
strict observance of ceremony
Her formality and seriousness amused him.
Synonyms
correctness
He conducted himself with formal correctness at all times.
seriousness
decorum
I was treated with decorum and respect
ceremoniousness
protocol
He is a stickler for royal protocol.
etiquette
a breach of the rules of diplomatic etiquette
politesse
p's and q's
punctilio
2 (noun)
Definition
a necessary procedure without real effect
The will was read, but it was a formality.
Synonyms
convention
a social convention
form
a frequent broadcaster on correct form and dress
conventionality
matter of form
procedure
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
ceremony
He was crowned with great ceremony.
custom
The custom of lighting the Olympic flame goes back centuries.
gesture
ritual
Italian culture revolves around the ritual of eating.
rite
a fertility rite
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ceremony
Definition
formally polite behaviour
He was crowned with great ceremony.
Synonyms
formality,
ceremonial,
propriety,
decorum,
formal courtesy,
show
in the sense of custom
Definition
the long-established habits or traditions of a society
The custom of lighting the Olympic flame goes back centuries.
Synonyms
tradition,
practice,
convention,
ritual,
form,
policy,
rule,
style,
fashion,
usage,
formality,
etiquette,
observance,
praxis,
unwritten law,
kaupapa (New Zealand)
in the sense of decorum
Definition
polite and socially correct behaviour
I was treated with decorum and respect
Synonyms
propriety,
decency,
etiquette,
breeding,
protocol,
respectability,
politeness,
good manners,
good grace,
gentility,
deportment,
courtliness,
politesse,
punctilio,
seemliness
Synonyms of 'formality'
formality
Explore 'formality' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of etiquette
Definition
the customs or rules of behaviour regarded as correct in social life
a breach of the rules of diplomatic etiquette
Synonyms
good or proper behaviour,
manners,
rules,
code,
customs,
convention,
courtesy,
usage,
protocol,
formalities,
propriety,
politeness,
good manners,
decorum,
civility,
politesse,
p's and q's,
polite behaviour,
kawa (New Zealand),
tikanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of form
Definition
manners and etiquette
a frequent broadcaster on correct form and dress
Synonyms
procedure,
behaviour,
manners,
etiquette,
use,
rule,
conduct,
ceremony,
custom,
convention,
ritual,
done thing,
usage,
protocol,
formality,
wont,
right practice,
kawa (New Zealand),
tikanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of procedure
Definition
a way of doing something, esp. an established method
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
Synonyms
method,
policy,
process,
course,
system,
form,
action,
step,
performance,
operation,
practice,
scheme,
strategy,
conduct,
formula,
custom,
routine,
transaction,
plan of action,
modus operandi
in the sense of protocol
Definition
the rules of behaviour for formal occasions
He is a stickler for royal protocol.
Synonyms
code of behaviour,
manners,
courtesies,
conventions,
customs,
formalities,
good form,
etiquette,
propriety,
decorum,
rules of conduct,
politesse,
p's and q's
in the sense of punctilio
Synonyms
fine point,
particular,
convention,
distinction,
formality,
delicacy,
refinement,
nicety
in the sense of rite
Definition
a custom that is carried out within a particular group
a fertility rite
Synonyms
ceremony,
custom,
ritual,
act,
service,
form,
practice,
procedure,
mystery,
usage,
formality,
ceremonial,
communion,
ordinance,
observance,
sacrament,
liturgy,
solemnity
in the sense of ritual
Italian culture revolves around the ritual of eating.