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

That academic foundation helped formalize an effort years in the making. — Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026

The document formalizing the name change was signed by the center’s general counsel, Elliot Berke. — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

The challenge is that most organizations never formalize that instinct into a scalable hiring strategy. — Crystal Gilmore, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

That mechanism has yet to be formalized or announced, and the order stipulated that any vetting would be voluntary for AI companies. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 29 June 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