reformed
adjective
amended by removal of faults, abuses, etc.
reformed
American
[ri-fawrmd]
/ rɪˈfɔrmd /
adjective
-
amended by removal of faults, abuses, etc.
-
improved in conduct, morals, etc.
-
(initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to Protestant churches, especially Calvinist as distinguished from Lutheran.
Reformed
British
/ rɪˈfɔːmd /
adjective
-
of or designating a Protestant Church, esp the Calvinist as distinct from the Lutheran
-
of or designating Reform Judaism
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reformed
Explanation
Someone who's reformed is changed in a positive way. A reformed bully has stopped shoving smaller kids around and makes a point of treating everyone kindly. A reformed prison system would be one that has eliminated controversial punishments like solitary confinement, and a reformed group of military rebels might form a peaceful political party. Sometimes you'll see this adjective in a religious context — for example, Calvinism is known as "Reformed Christianity," a reference to the Protestant Reformation. The Latin root, reformare, means "change."
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.
See Examples For:
They want France’s university admissions system to be reformed and food in school cafeterias to be improved.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
He declined to rejoin the band when it reformed in 2001.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
The letter to Chancellor John Healey does not specify a particular plan signatories would like to be reformed, nor does it name a particular nation.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Even some Canadian economists and pundits have called for it to be dismantled or reformed.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Then, when the position was prepared, the six kings of the advance guard were to retire through it, leaving Lot in the front line while they reformed.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Vermeer was born in Delft amid the Wars of Religion and baptized in the Calvinist Reformed Church.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Hegseth, as the statement noted, attends a church affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a conservative network of churches founded by Wilson.
From Slate ● Aug. 12, 2025
He also joined the associated denomination, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches.
From Salon ● Dec. 3, 2024
Dr James Englinton is a a senior lecturer in Reformed Theology at Edinburgh University and has family from Lewis.
From BBC ● Nov. 16, 2024
Since 1967 it has been governed by the Dutch Reformed Church.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
