reforming

[ ri-fawr-ming ]

/ rɪˌfɔr mɪŋ /

noun

Chemistry. the process of cracking low-octane petroleum fractions in order to increase the octane number.

Nearby words

reformatory, reformed, reformed church in america, reformed spelling, reformer, reforming, reformism, reformist, reformulate, refract, refractile

Origin of reforming

First recorded in 1920–25; reform + -ing¹

Related forms

an·ti·re·form·ing, adjective, nounun·re·form·ing, adjective

Definition for reforming (2 of 3)

re-form

[ ree-fawrm ]

/ riˈfɔrm /

verb (used with or without object)

to form again.

Origin of re-form

1300–50; Middle English; orig. identical with reform

Related forms

re-for·ma·tion, nounre-form·er, noun

Can be confused

re-form reform

Definition for reforming (3 of 3)

reform

[ ri-fawrm ]

/ rɪˈfɔrm /

noun

the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.: social reform; spelling reform.

an instance of this.

the amendment of conduct, belief, etc.

verb (used with object)

to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc.

to cause (a person) to abandon wrong or evil ways of life or conduct.

to put an end to (abuses, disorders, etc.).

Chemistry. to subject to the process of reforming, as in refining petroleum.

verb (used without object)

to abandon evil conduct or error: The drunkard promised to reform.

adjective

(initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of Reform Jews or Reform Judaism: a Reform rabbi.

Origin of reform

1300–50; (v.) Middle English reformen < Middle French reformer, Old French < Latin refōrmāre (see re-, form); (noun) partly derivative of the v., partly < French réforme

SYNONYMS FOR reform

1 correction, reformation, betterment, amelioration.

4 better, rectify, correct, amend, emend, ameliorate, repair, restore.

ANTONYMS FOR reform

1 deterioration.

Related forms

re·form·a·ble, adjectivere·form·a·bil·i·ty, re·form·a·ble·ness, nounre·form·a·tive, adjectivere·form·a·tive·ly, adverb

re·form·a·tive·ness, nounre·form·ing·ly, adverban·ti·re·form, adjectivemis·re·form, verbpre·re·form, adjectivepro·re·form, adjectiveself-re·form, nounsu·per·re·form, noun, verb (used with object)un·re·form·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·form·a·tive, adjective

Can be confused

re-form reform

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for reforming

The biggest blowback will be against the ‘reforming’ Kentucky senator, because Republicans back cops, period.
GOP Won’t Forgive Rand for Cop Critique|Lloyd Green|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Therefore, reforming this trade is part of a comprehensive strategy, including regional governance reforms, to help end the war.
Aaron Rodgers Takes Aim at Congo’s ‘Blood Minerals’ War|John Prendergast|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Enter a candidate like Bush, talking about the importance of a federal role in reforming education and immigration.
Why Hillary vs. Jeb Would Be Great for America|Mark McKinnon|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Francis was elected in March 2013, he made it clear that reforming the Vatican financial mess was a priority.
The Vatican Bank Is Back From the Dead|Barbie Latza Nadeau|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The new Russian leadership was far more interested in embracing Western-style democratic capitalism than in reforming socialism.
Meet Stephen F. Cohen, Vladimir Putin's Best Friend in the American Media|Cathy Young|March 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is to be noted that in all the reforming sects of the commencement of the thirteenth century the two sexes were closely united.
Life of St. Francis of Assisi|Paul Sabatier
He had begun what was afterward called "his passion for reforming everything."
Famous Affinities of History, Vol 1-4, Complete|Lyndon Orr
Those who say that punishment is for the purpose of reforming the prisoner are not familiar with human psychology.
Crime: Its Cause and Treatment|Clarence Darrow
He promised to return to Truth and Nature, the invariable programme of all attempts at reforming the drama.
The English Stage|Augustin Filon
What really sheltered the reforming movement was Wolsey's indifference to all but political matters.
History of the English People, Volume III (of 8)|John Richard Green

British Dictionary definitions for reforming (1 of 2)

reform

/ (rɪˈfɔːm) /

verb

(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

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

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

Derived Forms

reformable, adjectivereformative, adjectivereformer, noun

Word Origin for reform

C14: via Old French from Latin reformāre to form again

British Dictionary definitions for reforming (2 of 2)

re-form

/ (riːˈfɔːm) /

verb

to form anew

Derived Forms

re-formation, 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

reforming

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of reforming

Related forms

Definition for reforming (2 of 3)

re-form

verb (used with or without object)

Origin of re-form

Related forms

Can be confused

Definition for reforming (3 of 3)

reform

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

adjective

Origin of reform

SYNONYMS FOR reform

ANTONYMS FOR reform

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for reforming

British Dictionary definitions for reforming (1 of 2)

reform

verb

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for reform

British Dictionary definitions for reforming (2 of 2)

re-form

verb

Derived Forms