formality
gb/fɔɹmˈæləti/ us/fɔɹmˈæləti/
B2
English
hivatalosság, formális stílus, formaság, formalitás, udvariassági kör
NOUN
B2
1
hivatalosság
B2
Usage pattern:
the formality of [something]; with [some] formality
The email strikes the right balance between friendliness and formality.
Az e-mail jól egyensúlyoz a barátságosság és a hivatalos hangnem között.
In academic writing, a higher level of formality is usually expected.
A tudományos írásban általában hivatalosabb, formálisabb stílust várnak el.
They dropped the formality once they got to know each other.
Learner examples
Please use more formality in your letter.
Kérem, használjon hivatalosabb hangnemet a levelében.
This meeting needs less formality.
Ezen a megbeszélésen kevésbé hivatalos hangnemre van szükség.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse formality (style) with form (shape) or formal (official).
Meaning
being formal in style
Collocations
degree of formality
|level of formality
|a certain formality
|excessive formality
|social formality
|professional formality
|linguistic formality
|formal formality
|maintain formality
|reduce the formality
Synonyms
formalness (a direct synonym, but less common and less natural in most contexts)
|
stiffness (suggests an uncomfortable or unfriendly kind of formality)
Antonyms
informality (a relaxed, casual style rather than a formal one)
|
casualness (emphasizes an easy, not-ceremonial manner)
Themes
communication
|social_relations
|work
|writing
Definition
how formal something is
the quality or degree of being formal in language, behavior, or appearance, especially in contrast to a relaxed or friendly style
NOUN
C1
2
formaság
B2
Usage pattern:
avoid [the] formality; insist on [the] formality; an air of formality
There was a noticeable formality in the way he greeted his boss.
Érezhető formaság volt abban, ahogyan a főnökét köszöntötte.
They tried to avoid formality and keep the dinner relaxed.
Igyekeztek kerülni a formaságot, hogy a vacsora kötetlen maradjon.
The formality of the setting made everyone speak more carefully.
Learner examples
The party had too much formality.
A partin túl sok formaság volt.
We want less formality at work.
Kevesebb formaságot szeretnénk a munkahelyen.
Meaning
ceremonious rules of behavior
Collocations
observe formality
|insist on formality
|unnecessary formality
|strict formality
|an air of formality
|a sense of formality
|social formality
|relax the formality
|the formality of the occasion
|keep the formality
Synonyms
ceremony (focuses on ritual or formal acts rather than overall style)
|
etiquette (emphasizes social rules and correct behavior)
Antonyms
familiarity (suggests a relaxed, friendly closeness rather than distance)
|
ease (a comfortable, unforced manner rather than ceremonious behavior)
Themes
social_relations
|culture
|etiquette
Definition
polite rules that people follow in formal situations
the observance of conventional rules of politeness and etiquette, especially when these rules create distance or seem unnecessarily strict
NOUN
C1
3
formalitás
B2
Usage pattern:
a (mere) formality; as a formality
After the interview, the background check was a formality.
Az interjú után a háttérellenőrzés már csak formalitás volt.
The manager said the meeting was just a formality and the decision was already made.
A vezető azt mondta, hogy az értekezlet csak formalitás, a döntés pedig már megszületett.
In many cases, the final signature is a mere formality.
Learner examples
The test was only a formality.
A vizsga csak formalitás volt.
Signing here is a formality.
Az itt történő aláírás csak formalitás.
Meaning
required step with little effect
Collocations
a mere formality
|just a formality
|little more than a formality
|a legal formality
|an administrative formality
|a technical formality
|treat it as a formality
|complete the formality
|perform the formality
|sign as a formality
Synonyms
technicality (often implies a small rule that can be used to block or allow something)
|
requirement (more general and does not imply lack of real importance)
Antonyms
necessity (something truly needed, not just required on paper)
|
substance (real importance rather than outward procedure)
Themes
law
|government
|work
|procedures
Definition
a step you do only because it is required
a required action or procedure, especially an official one, that has little practical importance and is done mainly because rules require it
NOUN
C1
4
formalitás
B2
Usage pattern:
the formalities of [something]; complete the formalities; go through the formalities
After the ceremony, they stayed to complete the legal formalities.
A szertartás után ott maradtak, hogy elintézzék a jogi formalitásokat.
Airport immigration formalities took longer than expected.
A repülőtéri bevándorlási formalitások a vártnál tovább tartottak.
The company hired a lawyer to handle the formalities of the merger.
Learner examples
We must finish the formalities first.
Előbb el kell intéznünk a formalitásokat.
The visa formalities were simple.
A vízumhoz kapcsolódó formalitások egyszerűek voltak.
Common mistake:
Formalities is often plural when it means official procedures; singular formality more often means style or a single required step.
Meaning
official procedures and paperwork
Collocations
legal formalities
|official formalities
|administrative formalities
|complete the formalities
|handle the formalities
|fulfill the formalities
|the formalities of marriage
|passport formalities
|immigration formalities
|registration formalities
Synonyms
paperwork (emphasizes documents rather than the whole set of rules and procedures)
|
procedure (neutral term; does not necessarily suggest bureaucracy)
Antonyms
simplicity (lack of complicated official steps)
|
informality (absence of official or formal procedure)
Themes
law
|government
|business
|bureaucracy
Definition
official steps and documents that are required
the official rules, procedures, and paperwork required for an event or action, especially in legal or government contexts (often used in the plural)
NOUN
C1
5
formaság
B2
Usage pattern:
exchange (the usual) formalities; after the formalities
After a few formalities, they began discussing the contract.
Néhány udvariassági kör után rátértek a szerződésre.
They exchanged the usual formalities and sat down.
Váltottak néhány szokásos udvariassági formulát, majd leültek.
He hates office formalities and prefers to get straight to the point.
Learner examples
After the formalities, we started the meeting.
Az udvariassági körök után elkezdtük a megbeszélést.
Meaning
polite phrases in formal talk
Collocations
exchange formalities
|the usual formalities
|after the formalities
|skip the formalities
|brief formalities
|social formalities
|awkward formalities
|polite formalities
|initial formalities
|finish the formalities
Synonyms
pleasantries (more common and slightly warmer; not necessarily formal)
|
small talk (broader; can be informal and not limited to polite greetings)
Antonyms
directness (getting straight to the main point without polite preliminaries)
Themes
communication
|social_relations
Definition
polite greetings people say before getting to business
polite, conventional remarks or greetings exchanged at the start of a formal conversation (often used in the plural)
Grammar
Dictionary form
formality
IPA
GB/fɔɹmˈæləti/
US/fɔɹmˈæləti/
Syllables & stress
form - al - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (al)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: formality
- Plural: formalities, formality
Word family
Expressions
a mere formality
1/ə mˈɪɹ fɔɹmˈæləti/
fixed phrase
required step, not important
something you do only because rules say so
Examples
- The hearing was a mere formality; the deal had already been approved.
- After they agreed on the price, the contract was a mere formality.
- The interview felt like a mere formality because she already had the job.
Learner examples
- The final signature is a mere formality.
dispense with the formalities
1/dɪspˈɛns wˈɪθ ðə fɔɹmˈælətiz/
fixed phrase
Skip polite social rituals
to skip the usual polite or official things, like long introductions or thanks, and go straight to the main point
Examples
- If you don't mind, I'll dispense with the formalities and get straight to the reason for my call.
- Since we're all friends here, let's dispense with the formalities and start eating.
dispense with the formalities
1/dɪspˈɛns wˈɪθ ðə fɔɹmˈælətiz/
fixed phrase
formal
skip polite or official steps
skip the formal steps
Examples
- To save time, the chair dispensed with the formalities and began the vote.
- They dispensed with the formalities and spoke frankly.
- In an emergency, you may be allowed to dispense with some of the usual formalities.
exchange the usual formalities
1/ɪkst͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ ðə jˈuʒuəl fɔɹmˈælətiz/
fixed phrase
say polite greetings first
say polite greetings before talking about business
Examples
- They exchanged the usual formalities before discussing the complaint.
- After exchanging the usual formalities, he asked for an update on the project.
- The two leaders exchanged the usual formalities for the cameras.
Learner examples
- We exchanged the usual formalities and sat down.
go through the formalities
1/ɡˈoʊ θɹˈu ðə fɔɹmˈælətiz/
fixed phrase
complete required official steps
do the required official steps
Examples
- We went through the formalities and then collected the keys.
- They went through the legal formalities to finalize the adoption.
- After going through the formalities, the meeting moved to the main agenda.
Learner examples
- We must go through the formalities first.
without further formality
1/wɪðˈaʊt fˈɚðɚ fɔɹmˈæləti/
fixed phrase
formal
immediately, without more procedure
without doing any more official steps
Examples
- The motion was approved and, without further formality, the meeting ended.
- She was escorted from the building without further formality.
- If payment is not received, the contract may be terminated without further formality.