formalities

formalities — noun

1. Following the socially accepted rules, customs, and polite behaviour that are ex

1.名詞B2
釋義

Following the socially accepted rules, customs, and polite behaviour that are expected in a particular situation, such as at a wedding, dinner party, or official meeting.

例句

At the wedding, all guests observed the formalities by dressing formally and bringing gifts.

collocation: observe formalities

Wei's grandfather taught the children the formalities of greeting elders during Lunar New Year.

同義詞
  • etiquette

    refers to the unwritten rules themselves rather than the acts of following them

  • protocol

    more rigid and specific to diplomatic or military settings

  • convention

    focuses on the customary aspect rather than the required aspect

反義詞
  • informality

    a relaxed or casual way of behaving, free from strict rules

文法句型

observe + formalities

go through + formalities

follow + formalities

用法筆記

This sense appears almost exclusively in the plural form 'formalities' and is most common in descriptions of ceremonial, diplomatic, or family-gathering settings.

常見錯誤

❌We skipped all the formality and went straight to dinner.
✅We skipped all the formalities and went straight to dinner.
💡When referring to multiple social customs, always use the plural 'formalities'.

2. The quality of behaving according to strict official or social rules, shown thro

2.名詞B2
釋義

The quality of behaving according to strict official or social rules, shown through careful language, serious behaviour, and the absence of relaxed or casual attitudes.

例句

The formalities of the courtroom made the young lawyer nervous about addressing the judge.

pattern: formalities + of + [setting]

Amara preferred the clinic's relaxed mood over the formalities of the large city hospital.

同義詞
  • strictness

    focuses on rigid adherence to rules rather than the overall atmosphere

  • ceremony

    implies a more elaborate, public display of formal behaviour

反義詞

文法句型

formalities + of + [setting/event]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: 'BEING FORMAL' describes the general atmosphere or quality of strictness, whereas 'SOCIAL CONVENTIONS' focuses on specific customary actions. In this sense the word can sometimes appear in singular uncountable form ('the formality of the occasion'), though the entry headword is the plural.

常見錯誤

❌The formalities of his speech was too much for the audience.
✅The formality of his speech was too much for the audience.
💡When describing a general quality (not multiple steps), use the singular form.

3. The official actions or steps that people must complete as part of a legal, admi

3.名詞B1
釋義

The official actions or steps that people must complete as part of a legal, administrative, or official process, such as signing documents, paying fees, or obtaining approval.

例句

Before the visa is issued, applicants must complete several formalities at the immigration office.

collocation: complete formalities

Diego spent the morning signing papers and going through the formalities of buying a home.

collocation: go through the formalities

同義詞
  • procedure

    a single established way of doing something; more neutral and technical

  • paperwork

    specifically the documents required, not all the steps

  • requirements

    focuses on what is needed rather than the steps to meet them

文法句型

complete + formalities

go through + formalities

formalities + for + [purpose]

用法筆記

The most practical sense of the three — frequently collocates with words like 'complete', 'go through', and 'finish'. The steps are usually seen as necessary but potentially tiresome paperwork and checks that a person must do to get something done.

常見錯誤

❌I need to do the formality for my passport renewal.
✅I need to complete the formalities for my passport renewal.
💡Use the plural 'formalities' when referring to multiple official steps in a process.