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

This year alone, Chanel returned to the Venice Biennale, funded ongoing projects at London’s National Portrait Gallery and Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art and formalized a new partnership with the M+ museum in Hong Kong. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

At the Port of Los Angeles, the proposal would formalize the Harbor Department’s existing practice of allocating 10% of its operating income to waterfront public access projects and programs. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026

This mechanism could require that ships use Iran’s preferred traffic pattern but would not formalize Iranian control over the passage. — Allison Minor, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026

The European Central Bank announced on Wednesday that President Christine Lagarde will step down from the job in February, eight months before her tenure was set to end, formalizing a move that had been rumored since the beginning of this year. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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