How to Use formality in a Sentence

formality

noun
Definition of formalitynext
Synonyms for formalitynext
  • They haven't approved the loan yet, but that's just a mere formality.
  • Her use of old-fashioned language lends an air of formality to her writing.
  • He failed to appreciate the formality of the occasion.
  • The vote is something of a formality given that the deal is on hold while the court case plays out.
    — Marcy Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022
  • The top ski rentals from Aspen to the French Alps now shun formality.
    — Tom Weijand, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2024
  • The requests lent an air of formality to a process condemned by the West.
    — Eric Nagourney, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2022
  • The pumpkins create the homey, fall look, but a sleek glass dome adds a touch of class and formality.
    — Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
  • And there was a sort of formality about being the captain.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
  • At the start of the night, Game 5 of this opening-round playoff series against the Hawks seemed like a formality.
    — Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023
  • By the final buzzer, those two things seemed like a mere formality.
    — al, 25 Nov. 2022
  • The more likely scenario is that this is just a formality.
    — Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Apr. 2023
  • Plus, the formality of their lives means that catching them off duty—Kate in her Wellies and jeans—is enthralling.
    — Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2022
  • After the vows and formalities, the couple exchanged Neil Lane rings.
    — Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 5 Jan. 2024
  • Once the league has approved a buyer, the board’s vote is considered a formality.
    — Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2023
  • For those who knew Neinas was part of Cincinnati’s search process and Bohn was a candidate, Bohn getting the job was a mere formality.
    — J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2023
  • While votes are held at the Party Congress, this is widely viewed as a formality – not a true election process.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN, 11 Oct. 2022
  • Viewed that way, the night’s awards benediction was little more than a formality.
    — Vulture, 13 Mar. 2023
  • And, as always, the most successful job searches are ones in which the résumé is a formality at the end of the process, not your first contact with the employer.
    — Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2022
  • Grady is committed to play college baseball for TCU, though if things break right, his pledge could be more of a formality.
    — Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 25 Apr. 2023
  • The Sun Devils and Utes’ approval is expected to be a formality.
    — J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2023
  • Not customary: For the first time, the formality known as the Accession Council will be televised.
    — Matthew Mulligan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2022
  • With a conscious ditching of formality, the range (from €6) even includes a pizza plate and is made in Portugal.
    — Sarah Turner, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022
  • The strap is black rubber whose fabric-like finish lends an edgy formality.
    — Nancy Olson, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
  • So there's an element of surprise every year amid the pomp and formality.
    — Kate Tuttle, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2023
  • What once felt like a mere formality for Auburn a few weeks ago is now an uncertainty amid the team’s recent struggles.
    — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 14 Feb. 2023
  • In an era of athleisure, Parker is selling shoes of a throwback fussy formality.
    — Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023
  • Options in merino wool or cashmere have an air of formality to them, and can function in lieu of a jacket on cooler nights.
    — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2024
  • The French championship was surely viewed as a formality; P.S.G. these days always seems to win that title.
    — Tariq Panja, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2022
  • Providing Barca don't slip up in La Liga, renewing the former number '6' in the dugout should be pretty much a formality and is the right way to go.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
  • It was assumed that this was merely a procedural formality like much of the monarch’s role in day-to-day governance.
    — Matt Ford, The New Republic, 5 May 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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