reform
Americannoun
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the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc..
social reform; spelling reform.
- Synonyms:
- amelioration, betterment, reformation, correction
- Antonyms:
- deterioration
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an instance of this.
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the amendment of conduct, belief, etc.
verb (used with object)
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to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc.
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to cause (a person) to abandon wrong or evil ways of life or conduct.
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to put an end to (abuses, disorders, etc.).
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Chemistry. to subject to the process of reforming, as in refining petroleum.
verb (used without object)
adjective
verb
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(tr) to improve (an existing institution, law, practice, etc) by alteration or correction of abuses
-
to give up or cause to give up a reprehensible habit or immoral way of life
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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
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an improvement or change for the better, esp as a result of correction of legal or political abuses or malpractices
-
a principle, campaign, or measure aimed at achieving such change
-
improvement of morals or behaviour, esp by giving up some vice
Other Word Forms
- antireform adjective
- misreform verb
- prereform adjective
- proreform adjective
- reformability noun
- reformable adjective
- reformableness noun
- reformative adjective
- reformatively adverb
- reformativeness noun
- reformer noun
- reformingly adverb
- self-reform noun
- superreform noun
- unreformable adjective
- unreformative adjective
Etymology
Origin of reform
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Enrique Viale, president of the Argentine Association of Environmental Lawyers, told AFP that the reform threatened the water supply of "70 percent of Argentinians."
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
California enacted major PBM reform last year with the adoption of Senate Bill 41, which went into effect Jan. 1.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
Sadhwani, the Pomona College professor, said she doubts that voters will view Bass as a reform candidate.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
The budget will also continue to “constrain non-defense spending and reform the Federal Government.”
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
Teacher Gu announced the latest revolutionary reform of the educational system.
From "Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution" by Ji-li Jiang
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
