formalize

1 of 2

verb

for·​mal·​ize ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz 

formalized; formalizing

transitive verb

1

: to give a certain or definite form to : shape

2

a

: to make formal

b

: to give formal status or approval to

formalizable

ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

formalization

ˌfȯr-mə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

formalizer

ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

formalization

2 of 2

noun

for·​ma·​li·​za·​tion

variants also British formalisation

ˌ⸗mələ̇ˈzāshən, 

-ˌlīˈz-

plural -s

: an act of formalizing or the state of being formalized compare axiomatization

Synonyms of formalize

Verb

• standardize

Examples of formalize in a Sentence

Verb

The company has formalized its hiring practices.

Congress formalized the policy by making it law.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cap systems formalize a revenue split between players and owners. —Evan Drellich, New York Times, 5 June 2026

Iran, for its part, has moved to formalize its control over the strait in direct opposition to US demands. —Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

The European Union formalized the policy in its 2016 Global Strategy. —Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 4 June 2026

Tehran has sought to formalize its control over the strait by establishing the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for formalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

formalize

verb

for·​mal·​ize ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz 

formalized; formalizing

1

: to make formal

2

: to give formal rank or approval to

formalization

ˌfȯr-mə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

formalizer noun