formalities
Proper procedural observances
Formalities are the conventional procedures or requirements that must be observed in official or ceremonial contexts: We completed the legal formalities and signed the papers.
The word often carries a dismissive tone, suggesting mere ritual rather than substance: Let's skip the formalities and get down to business.
Social formalities are polite customs like introductions or thank-you notes.
Customs of polite conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
greetings · handshake · bow · curtsy · titles · salutations · comportment · civility
Prescribed conduct rules
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- embassyOfficial diplomatic residence abroad
negotiation · delegation · accreditation · communique · consul · liaison · ratification · statecraft
Administrative written tasks
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- filingsParticles from abrasion
- applicationsPractical uses or requests
- registrationFormal recording of participation
compliance · regulations · requirements · administrative · checklist · procedures · forms · signatures
Yielding to another's judgment
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- homageExpression of deep respect
honor · recognition · tribute · obeisance · salutation · commendation · regard · consideration
manners
Customs of polite conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
propriety · greetings · handshake · bow · curtsy · titles · salutations · comportment · civility · tactfulness
protocol
Prescribed conduct rules
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- treatyBinding pact between nations
embassy · negotiation · delegation · accreditation · communique · consul · liaison · ratification · statecraft · attaché
paperwork
Administrative written tasks
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- filingsParticles from abrasion
- applicationsPractical uses or requests
registration · compliance · regulations · requirements · administrative · checklist · procedures · forms · signatures · notarization
deference
Yielding to another's judgment
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
homage · honor · recognition · tribute · obeisance · salutation · commendation · regard · consideration · acknowledgment
procession
Formal moving line
aisle · reception · toasts · bouquet · gown · tuxedo · bridesmaids · groomsmen · nuptials · banquet
- bureaucracybureaucracy, bureaucrat, bureaucrats, red tape, civil service
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- trivialitiestrivia, trifles, minutiae, small potatoes, peanuts
- conventionsconvention, conventions, delegates, conference, attendee
- protocolsprotocol, TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS, diplomatic protocol
formalitiesinformalities
Unofficial, relaxed behaviors
informality · casualness · relaxedness · familiarities · familiarity
formalitiessubstance
Physical material with mass
essentials · practicalities · fundamentals · nitty-gritty · brass tacks
formalitiessubstance
Physical material with mass
essentials · nitty-gritty · heart of the matter · shortcuts · informalities
- legal formalitiesRequired procedural steps for validity
formal, informal, formality, formally, formalize, informally, informality, formalist, formalized