noun
1 action that is necessary according to custom/law
ADJECTIVE
▪ mere
▪
Your acceptance into the club will be a mere ~.
▪ customs , legal (both esp. BrE )
VERB + FORMALITY
▪ complete ( esp. BrE ), deal with , go through
▪
It only took a few minutes to complete the legal formalities.
▪ dispense with , drop ( esp. AmE )
▪
Let's dispense with the formalities and get down to work.
PHRASES
▪ just a ~ , merely a ~ , only a ~
▪
She was clearly the best candidate for the job, so her interview was just a ~.
2 polite/formal way of behaving
ADJECTIVE
▪ stiff
… OF FORMALITY
▪ degree , level
▪
It is important to be aware of the level of ~ required at any social function.
VERB + FORMALITY
▪ maintain
▪
She preferred to maintain a cool ~ in her dealings with her manager.