formalize

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

Synonyms of formalize

• standardize

Examples of formalize in a Sentence

The company has formalized its hiring practices.

Congress formalized the policy by making it law.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Shanghai Broadcasting Film & TV Producers Association and the Hong Kong Screenwriters’ Guild formalized their relationship at the market, signing a memorandum of understanding covering co-production, talent cultivation and technological exchange. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026

Across large organizations, innovation is now formalized. —Big Think, 20 Mar. 2026

Major League Baseball has entered new agreements with Polymarket and the federal regulator that oversees prediction markets, formalizing the sports league’s involvement in the fast-growing industry. —Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

Romantical doesn’t solve that problem so much as formalize it. —Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for formalize

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

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