formality meaning

formality means a rule or custom that is followed for official or traditional reasons.

formality :

a rule, a custom

noun

▪ The meeting was just a formality.

▪ The meeting was just a rule.

▪ He completed the formality of signing the papers.

▪ He followed the custom of signing the papers.

paraphrasing

▪ procedure – a step or rule

▪ protocol – an official rule

▪ convention – a traditional rule

▪ ritual – a formal action

formality

Pronunciation

formality [fɔːrˈmælɪti]

The stress is on 'mal' and sounds like 'for-mal-i-tee'.

Common phrases and grammar about formality

formality - Common meaning

noun
a rule, a custom

Part of Speech Changes for "formality"

▪ formal (adjective) – official or traditional

▪ formally (adverb) – in an official way

Common Expressions with "formality"

▪ complete a formality – to finish a rule

▪ observe a formality – to follow a rule

▪ legal formality – an official rule in law

▪ social formality – a traditional rule in society

Important examples of formality in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC vocabulary questions, formality often refers to official procedures or customs.

▪Signing the document is a formality.
▪Signing the document is a rule.

Example of a confusing word: formalism (strict adherence to rules)

▪Signing the document is a formalism.
▪Signing the document is strictly adhering to rules.
"Formality" refers to a procedure or action that is performed mainly for the sake of following a tradition or protocol, often not essential but customary. In "Signing the document is a formality," the term is used correctly to imply that the action is more about following protocol than necessity. "Formalism," however, refers to strict adherence to prescribed forms or rules, and using it in the sentence "Signing the document is a formalism" is grammatically awkward and changes the intended meaning. Thus, "formality" is the correct choice.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC grammar questions, formality is used as a noun to describe actions that are required but not always necessary.

▪The interview was a mere formality.
▪The interview was just a rule.

formality

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

legal formality

'official procedure', used in legal contexts.

▪The contract needs a legal formality.
▪The contract needs an official procedure.

observe a formality

means 'to follow a traditional rule'.

▪We must observe the formality of introductions.
▪We must follow the traditional rule of introductions.

Differences between similar words and formality

formality

,

procedure

differences

Formality is a rule or custom, while procedure is a series of actions followed in a set order.

formality
▪The meeting was a formality.
▪The meeting was a rule.
procedure
▪The procedure was complex.
▪The series of actions was complex.

formality

,

protocol

differences

Formality is a general rule or custom, while protocol is a specific set of rules for official situations.

formality
▪He followed the formality.
▪They followed the official rule.
protocol
▪They followed the protocol.
▪They followed the official rule.

Words with the same origin as formality

The origin of formality

The word formality comes from the Latin 'formalis', which means related to form or structure.

Word structure

It has the root form (shape or structure) and suffix ality (state or condition), meaning a state of following rules.

Words with the same origin

The root of formality is form (shape or structure). Words with the same root include format (arrangement) and reform (to change structure).

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