formality C1 Topic:Law & Government US /fɔːrˈmælɪti/ See IPA manual Freq #11558 Meanings 1 noun Something done only because it is required by custom or rule, without real importance. The interview was just a formality, since they had already chosen her. 2 noun Careful, polite behaviour that follows accepted rules and customs. The dinner was conducted with great formality. 3 noun An official requirement or procedure that must be completed. You must complete a few formalities before the loan is approved. Thesaurus Synonyms 2 noun · careful, polite behaviour... formalness Word family Forms formalities Derived forms semiformality Common collocations mere formality Adjective + noun Etymology AI details From Middle French formalité. equivalent to formal + -ity. Topics Law & Government Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # formality **Type:** Word **Level:** C1 **Part of speech:** noun **IPA (US):** /fɔːrˈmælɪti/ **Frequency rank:** 11558 ## Meanings 1. Something done only because it is required by custom or rule, without real importance. 2. Careful, polite behaviour that follows accepted rules and customs. 3. An official requirement or procedure that must be completed. ## Examples - The interview was just a formality, since they had already chosen her. - The dinner was conducted with great formality. - You must complete a few formalities before the loan is approved. ## Derived Forms - semiformality ## Etymology From Middle French formalité. equivalent to formal + -ity. ## AI Etymology Formality is from Middle French formalité. equivalent to formal + -ity. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern nominal form is built from the named base and affix. In present-day use, it can mean something done only because it is required by custom or rule, without real importance, or careful, polite behaviour that follows accepted rules and customs. Derived formations include semiformality. ## Topics - Law & Government - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown