formalism

noun

for·​mal·​ism ˈfȯr-mə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to prescribed or external forms (as in religion or art)

also : an instance of this

2

: marked attention to arrangement, style, or artistic means (as in art or literature) usually with corresponding de-emphasis of content

formalist

ˈfȯr-mə-list 

noun or adjective

formalistic

ˌfȯr-mə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

Examples of formalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reflexivity, far from representing a kind of abstract formalism, as is often supposed, constitutes a confrontational act of radical openness. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024

Compared with Xi’s rigid formalism and dependence on ritual and protocol, Jiang’s beguiling informality came from a completely different universe of leadership. —Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2022

Bourbaki’s formalism would dwarf even this, requiring some 4.5 trillion symbols just to define the number 1. —Michael Barany, JSTOR Daily, 24 Mar. 2021

But her dreamlike formalism has long resisted the influence of any collective credo, and the highly refined acting style that she’s come to elicit from her performers, often described as Bressonian in its avoidance of extraneous emotion, is one reason for that. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

formalism

noun

for·​mal·​ism ˈfȯr-mə-ˌliz-əm 

: the strict observance of forms or customs

formalist

-ləst 

noun

formalistic

ˌfȯr-mə-ˈlis-tik 

adjective

formalistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb