formalize

[ fawr-muh-lahyz ]
See synonyms for: formalizeformalization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),for·mal·ized, for·mal·iz·ing.
  1. to make formal, especially for the sake of official or authorized acceptance: to formalize an understanding by drawing up a legal contract.

  2. to give a definite form or shape to.

  1. to state or restate (the rules or implied rules of a grammar or the like) in symbolic form.

Origin of formalize

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; formal1 + -ize
  • Also especially British, for·mal·ise .

Other words from formalize

  • for·mal·i·za·tion, noun
  • for·mal·iz·er, noun
  • o·ver·for·mal·ize, verb, o·ver·for·mal·ized, o·ver·for·mal·iz·ing.
  • un·for·mal·ized, adjective

Words Nearby formalize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use formalize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for formalize

formalize

formalise

/ (ˈfɔːməˌlaɪz) /


verb
  1. to be or make formal

  2. (tr) to make official or valid

  1. (tr) to give a definite shape or form to

  2. logic to extract the logical form of (an expression), to express in the symbols of some formal system

Derived forms of formalize

  • formalization or formalisation, noun
  • formalizer or formaliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012