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

Other Word Forms

• reformable adjective
• reformative adjective
• reformer noun
• reformability noun
• reformableness noun
• reformatively adverb
• reformativeness noun
• reformingly adverb
• antireform adjective
• misreform verb
• prereform adjective
• proreform adjective
• self-reform noun
• superreform noun
• unreformable adjective
• unreformative 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

The government said it had taken the "tough but necessary decision" to increase tuition fees last year to boost income for universities, and would soon set out further plans for reforms in new legislation.

Read more on BBC

The proposed reforms, outlined in June, are aimed at preventing another Credit Suisse-style meltdown.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Another sign of progress is how Ms. Badenoch talks about reforms, which she frames as a matter of human flourishing and fairness.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The Moroccan government on Thursday made fresh calls for dialogue with the youth collective GenZ 212, whose members have been staging nationwide protests since late September to demand reforms and a change of government.

Read more on Barron's

Democrats could consent to some reforms on the health insurance subsidies—the issue at the heart of their holdup—while Republicans could commit to extending that healthcare funding.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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