French word

formalité

Pronunciation

IPA/fɔʁmalite/

Meaning

  • feminine nounprocedure

Example

Il faut remplir les formalités avant de partir.

The procedures must be completed before leaving.

Illustration for formalité (procedure)

More examples

J'ai rempli les formalités hier.

I completed the formalities yesterday.

Core concept

A prescribed sequence of steps that turns a request or event into an officially valid act.

Common phrases

  • remplir les formalités

    complete the formalities

  • faire les formalités

    complete the formalities

  • formalités administratives

    administrative formalities

Similar words

démarche: An application or procedural action taken to advance a particular purpose.
paperasse: The burdensome handling of the large amount of paperwork involved in a procedure.
document: A paper or electronic record that provides information or proves identity.

Definition in French

Ensemble des démarches administratives ou des actes cérémoniels prescrits pour valider une demande ou respecter une règle.

Word origin

French formalité comes through Middle French from Latin formalitas, formed from forma 'form' with -itas, and originally refers to what gives something its required form.

Usage tips

  • The plural formalités is usual for a group of administrative steps, while a singular formalité can mean one required step or one ceremonial act.

Other meanings

  • formalitynoun

Opposites

  • informalitéinformalitynoun
  • spontanéitéspontaneitynoun

Related words

  • formaliserformalizeverb
  • formalisationformalizationnoun
  • formelformaladjective

Word lists with this word