FORMALITIES

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does formalities mean? 

• FORMALITIES (noun)
  The noun FORMALITIES has 1 sense:

1. a requirement of etiquette or custom

  Familiarity information: FORMALITIES used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORMALITIES (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A requirement of etiquette or custom

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

formalities; formality

Context example:

a mere formality

Hypernyms ("formalities" is a kind of...):

ceremonial; ceremonial occasion; ceremony; observance (a formal event performed on a special occasion)

 Context examples 

There are one or two small things—mere formalities—which I must arrange with you.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

That gentleman having willingly given his consent, the final formalities which led up to these humble tournaments were concluded.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Micawber returned to the King's Bench when his case was over, as some fees were to be settled, and some formalities observed, before he could be actually released.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I attended to all the ghastly formalities, and the urbane undertaker proved that his staff were afflicted—or blessed—with something of his own obsequious suavity.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Dick, perforce, had to go through a few stiff formalities at first, after which he calmly accepted White Fang as an addition to the premises.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

On reaching Scotland Yard, however, it was more than an hour before we could get Inspector Gregson and comply with the legal formalities which would enable us to enter the house.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

For my own part, I was under the conviction, despite my knowledge of the man's character and history, that his reason had been restored; and I felt under a strong impulse to tell him that I was satisfied as to his sanity, and would see about the necessary formalities for his release in the morning.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I want to take up my life here, with our marriage.' For, my dear, we had decided to be married as soon as the formalities are complete. 'Are you willing, Wilhelmina, to share my ignorance?

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)