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:
Many of them can be reformed at no cost.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
He declined to rejoin the band when it reformed in 2001.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Verstappen was unhurt and climbed out with no problems as the field reformed in the pits while the track was cleared.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
Andy Burnham has told the BBC "the NHS will collapse" if social care is not reformed but said he could not put a timeline on changes.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
“He left the village to rid it of its last evil,” Amah continued, “and reformed, lived a life of peace, and then, at last, was a great hero.”
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
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
According to Historic England, the building was originally constructed as a United Reformed Church by Lockwood and Mawson of Bradford between 1857 and 1859.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2025
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
As head of the Dutch Reformed Church’s program to reach Jews, Willem kept in touch with these things.
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.
