formalism

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈfɔrməˌlɪzəm/ UK /ˈfɔːməlɪzəm/ See IPA manual

Freq #119298

Meanings

1

noun
strict adherence to prescribed forms, rules, or procedures, sometimes at the expense of substance

The committee's formalism prevented it from considering the merits of an unusual application.
2

noun
mathematics and logic: an approach that treats a system through formally specified symbols and rules of operation or inference

The proof assistant checks the argument within a precisely defined formalism.
3

noun
art and criticism: emphasis on a work's form and technique rather than its subject matter or social context

The critic's formalism focused on rhythm, color, and composition.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · strict adherence to... rigidityproceduralism

2 noun · mathematics and logic: an... formal systemsymbolic method

3 noun · art and criticism: emphasis... formalist criticism

Opposites

informalismsubstantivism

Word family

Derived forms formalistformalistic

Related forms form axiom structure

Etymology

From formal + -ism. Formal comes through Latin formalis from forma ("shape, form"). The noun developed specialized senses for rule-governed symbolic methods and for theories that give explanatory priority to form.

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# formalism

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈfɔrməˌlɪzəm/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈfɔːməlɪzəm/
**Frequency rank:** 119298

## Meanings
1. strict adherence to prescribed forms, rules, or procedures, sometimes at the expense of substance
2. mathematics and logic: an approach that treats a system through formally specified symbols and rules of operation or inference
3. art and criticism: emphasis on a work's form and technique rather than its subject matter or social context

## Examples
- The committee's formalism prevented it from considering the merits of an unusual application.
- The proof assistant checks the argument within a precisely defined formalism.
- The critic's formalism focused on rhythm, color, and composition.

## Synonyms
- rigidity
- proceduralism
- formal system
- formalist criticism

## Antonyms
- informalism
- substantivism

## Derived Forms
- formalist
- formalistic

## Related Forms
- form
- axiom
- structure

## Etymology
From formal + -ism. Formal comes through Latin formalis from forma ("shape, form"). The noun developed specialized senses for rule-governed symbolic methods and for theories that give explanatory priority to form.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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