reform
Use Reform in a sentence
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
to form again.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.: social reform; spelling reform.
2.
an instance of this.
3.
the amendment of conduct, belief, etc.
verb (used with object)
4.
to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc.
5.
to cause (a person) to abandon wrong or evil ways of life or conduct.
6.
to put an end to (abuses, disorders, etc.).
7.
Chemistry. to subject to the process of reforming, as in refining petroleum.
verb (used without object)
8.
to abandon evil conduct or error: The drunkard promised to reform.
adjective
9.
( initial capital letter ) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Reform Jews or Reform Judaism: a Reform rabbi.
Origin:
1300–50; (v.) Middle English reformen < Middle French reformer, Old French < Latin refōrmāre (see re-, form); (noun) partly derivative of the v., partly < French réforme
1300–50; (v.) Middle English reformen < Middle French reformer, Old French < Latin refōrmāre (see re-, form); (noun) partly derivative of the v., partly < French réforme
Related forms
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
Synonyms
1. correction, reformation, betterment, amelioration. 4. better, rectify, correct, amend, emend, ameliorate, repair, restore.
1. correction, reformation, betterment, amelioration. 4. better, rectify, correct, amend, emend, ameliorate, repair, restore.
Antonyms
1. deterioration.
1. deterioration.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To reform
00:10
Reform
is always a great word to know.
So is oxidation. Does it mean:
| the process or result of a chemical reaction to oxygen, or the deposit that forms on the surface of a metal as it oxidizes |
| pertaining to an aromatic compound, which contains one or more benzene or equivalent heterocyclic rings: many such compounds have an agreeable odor |
Collins
World English Dictionary
reform (rɪˈfɔːm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 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 |
| —n | |
| 4. | an improvement or change for the better, esp as a result of correction of legal or political abuses or malpractices |
| 5. | a principle, campaign, or measure aimed at achieving such change |
| 6. | improvement of morals or behaviour, esp by giving up some vice |
| [C14: via Old French from Latin reformāre to form again] | |
| re'formable | |
| —adj | |
| re'formative | |
| —adj | |
| re'former | |
| —n | |
| re-form (riːˈfɔːm) | |
| —vb | |
| to form anew | |
| re-for'mation | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
reform
c.1300, "to convert into another and better form," from O.Fr. reformer (12c.), from L. reformare "to form again, change, alter," from re- "again" + formare "to form." The noun is 1660s, from the verb. Meaning "to bring (a person) away from an evil course of life" is recorded from early 15c.; of governments,
institutions, etc., from early 15c. Reformed churches (1588) usually are Calvinist as opposed to Lutheran. Reformed Judaism (1843) is a movement initiated in Germany by Moses Mendelssohn (1729-1786). Reformatory "house of correction for juveniles" first recorded 1834. Reform school is attested from 1859.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Thus it is better to try to reform religion than eliminate it.
There is no longer any talk of reform or negotiation.
No one would dispute that the securities laws need reform.
Yet to accomplish this will require more than campaign-finance and lobbying reform, because such fixes are so readily undone.
Nearby Words
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