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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
Nick Miller, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
White Tie As the dress code of debutante balls and state dinners, white tie is the highest level of formality any event code can go.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 29 Mar. 2025
While the Commonwealth Day services included plenty of royal formality, William, 42, and Kate, 43, also shared a candid moment of affection that was caught on camera.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
That young people are engaging in any formalities and celebrating one another at all is praiseworthy.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formality
Cite this Entry
“Formality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formality. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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formality
noun
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