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formalize

[ fawr-muh-lahyz ]
/ ˈfɔr məˌlaɪz /
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See synonyms for: formalize / formalization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), for·mal·ized, for·mal·iz·ing.
to make formal, especially for the sake of official or authorized acceptance: to formalize an understanding by drawing up a legal contract.
to give a definite form or shape to.
to state or restate (the rules or implied rules of a grammar or the like) in symbolic form.
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Also especially British, for·mal·ise .

Origin of formalize

First recorded in 1590–1600; formal1 + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM formalize

for·mal·i·za·tion, nounfor·mal·iz·er, nouno·ver·for·mal·ize, verb, o·ver·for·mal·ized, o·ver·for·mal·iz·ing.un·for·mal·ized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use formalize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for formalize

formalize

formalise

/ (ˈfɔːməˌlaɪz) /

verb
to be or make formal
(tr) to make official or valid
(tr) to give a definite shape or form to
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, nounformalizer 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
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