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

Erik Brynjolfsson, Daniel Rock, and Chad Syverson formalized it in a 2018 NBER paper published as The Productivity J-Curve in the American Economic Journal in 2021. — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

In 2015, Silent Book Club launched a website and social media accounts and began to formalize how people could start their own chapters. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 Oct. 2026

Freck Beauty’s brand history traces the development of Freck OG, introduced in 2017 as a specialized faux freckle product and one of the earliest to formalize the category. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

Ultra-Orthodox political leaders have demanded a law to formalize the group's broad exemption from the draft, but one that would also determine a percentage of ultra-Orthodox men and women who would be subject to compulsory service. — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 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