reform

[ ri-fawrm ]

noun

1. the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.:

   social reform; spelling reform.

   Synonyms: amelioration, betterment, reformation, correction

   Antonyms: deterioration

2. an instance of this.
3. the amendment of conduct, belief, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc.

   Synonyms: restore, repair, ameliorate, emend, amend, correct, rectify, better

2. to cause (a person) to abandon wrong or evil ways of life or conduct.
3. to put an end to (abuses, disorders, etc.).
4. Chemistry. to subject to the process of reforming, as in refining petroleum.

verb (used without object)

1. to abandon evil conduct or error:

   The drunkard promised to reform.

adjective

1. (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of Reform Jews or Reform Judaism:

   a Reform rabbi.

reform

/ rɪˈfɔːm /

verb

1. tr to improve (an existing institution, law, practice, etc) by alteration or correction of abuses
2. to give up or cause to give up a reprehensible habit or immoral way of life
3. chem to change the molecular structure of (a hydrocarbon) to make it suitable for use as petrol by heat, pressure, and the action of catalysts

noun

1. an improvement or change for the better, esp as a result of correction of legal or political abuses or malpractices
2. a principle, campaign, or measure aimed at achieving such change
3. improvement of morals or behaviour, esp by giving up some vice

Derived Forms

• reˈformable, adjective
• reˈformative, adjective
• reˈformer, noun

Other Words From

• re·forma·ble adjective
• re·forma·bili·ty re·forma·ble·ness noun
• re·forma·tive adjective
• re·forma·tive·ly adverb
• re·forma·tive·ness noun
• re·forming·ly adverb
• anti·re·form adjective
• misre·form verb
• prere·form adjective
• prore·form adjective
• self-re·form noun
• super·re·form noun verb (used with object)
• unre·forma·ble adjective
• unre·forma·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reform¹

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English reformen, from Middle French reformer, Old French, from Latin refōrmāre; equivalent to re- + form; noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reform¹

C14: via Old French from Latin reformāre to form again

Example Sentences

Half-way through the meeting, several senior climate leaders wrote a public letter saying COP was not fit for purpose and calling for reform.

From BBC

Under new measures to reform the welfare system, a "Youth Guarantee" for 18 to 21-year-olds aims to train young people or get them back into work.

From BBC

Yet some of his ideas around reforming the FDA have found support from health experts, lawmakers and concerned consumers alike - including some Democrats.

From BBC

But the chancellor is banking that the impact of the Budget, next spring's spending review and forthcoming reforms to skills, planning and more can ignite some economic growth.

From BBC

But there’s a way to reform the system and still retain the electoral college.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amend
• improve
• rebuild
• rehabilitate
• remake
• renovate
• reorganize
• repair
• resolve
• restore
• revise
• revolutionize
• standardize
• transform