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Formal behavior follows the proper forms or customs, and informal behavior feels free to ignore them. The formality of a dinner party is indicated by such formalities as invitations, required dress, and full table settings. Legal formalities, or technicalities, may turn out to be all-important even if they often seem minor. America requires fewer formalities than many other countries (in Germany, for example, you may know someone for years before using his or her first name), but even in relaxed situations Americans may be observing invisible formalities.
Examples of formality in a Sentence
Ana Morales, Vogue, 5 June 2025
Electoral regulators still must validate the vote, though that is viewed as a formality.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Proving it to the world, ultimately, was little more than a formality.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 1 June 2025
Still, in the last few years especially, the delivery of a gold card—once handled as a formality—has become an opportunity for recognition.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 30 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formality. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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formality
noun
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