formative

1 of 2

adjective

for·​ma·​tive ˈfȯr-mə-tiv 

1

a

: giving or capable of giving form : constructive

a formative influence

b

: used in word formation or inflection

2

: capable of alteration by growth and development

also : producing new cells and tissues

3

: of, relating to, or characterized by formative effects or formation

formative years

formatively adverb

formative

2 of 2

noun

: the element (such as a suffix) in a word that serves to give the word appropriate form and is not part of the base

Did you know?

Whatever gives shape to something else may be called formative: for example, the Grand Canyon is a product of the formative power of water, and the automobile was a huge formative influence on the design of America's cities. But it usually applies to some kind of shaping that isn't physical. An ambitious plan, for example, goes through a formative stage of development. The formative years of the U.S. included experimentation with various forms of government. And the most important formative experiences in our own lives tend to take place in the first 20 years or so.

Synonyms

Adjective

• constructive
• productive

Examples of formative in a Sentence

Adjective

This experience had a formative influence on his art.

a teacher who was a formative influence on generations of students

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many young people lost the freedom of those formative years, taking solace in self-care and meditative, solo activities at home like crafting and reading. —Kitty Ruskin, Time, 26 June 2025

Her daughter now steps in alongside her mother, but the overall Cora Sheibani aesthetic is very much based on an instinct for design nourished by formative years steeped in a rich artistic culture. —Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Noun

In it, Rabbi Heschel sees older years as potentially the most formative. —Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2024

Any Hollywood star who has done a big movie — or at least one formative to their career — probably has taken a special prop or two from set. —Andrea Towers, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for formative

• normative
• heteronormative
• informative
• performative
• uninformative

Kids Definition

formative

adjective

for·​ma·​tive

ˈfȯr-mət-iv

1

: giving or able to give form

a formative influence

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by important growth or formation

formative years

formatively adverb

formativeness noun

Medical Definition

formative

adjective

for·​ma·​tive ˈfȯr-mət-iv 

: capable of alteration by growth and development

also : producing new cells and tissues