# formalism vs formality

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### formalism
*noun · IPA /ˈfɔːməlɪz(ə)m/ · frequency rank #42,647*
Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc.

### formality
*noun · IPA /fɔːrˈmælɪti/ · frequency rank #23,835*
The state of being formal.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/formalism-vs-formality