formative

adjective for·ma·tive \ ˈfȯr-mə-tiv \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Examples: formative in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of formative

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

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formatively

adverb

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See formative defined for kids

Examples of formative in a Sentence

This experience had a formative influence on his art.
a teacher who was a formative influence on generations of students

Recent Examples of formative from the Web

Kroll, especially, is hilarious as a d-bag rival to Dax who’s super-invested not just in reliving Dax’s formative childhood traumas but also propping up the movie’s product placement.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "Why Uncle Drew looks to be a summer sleeper hit," 3 July 2018
In fact, our most formative memories are often the opposite of belonging.

— cameron glover, Allure, "On Janelle Monáe and the Power of Representation for Queer Black Girls," 21 June 2018
Since Kim Kardashian West first catapulted to fame from her formative reality-TV beginnings, her beauty has captured the public fascination—and inspired a million doppelgängers along the way.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "4 Times Kim Kardashian West Disrupted the Beauty Space," 4 June 2018
At the rally — which June remembers as being one of her formative moments — the women burned pieces of paper that had the names of their rapists.

— refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2, Episode 3 Recap: Ain't No Hollaback Girl," 2 May 2018
Jewish summer camp has long been viewed as a formative cornerstone of American Jewish identity.

— elizabeth kratz, Jewish Journal, "Camp leadership reaffirms its message: No partnership with IfNotNow," 13 June 2018
These guys have spent a lifetime in the New England’s elite athletic circles, their paths to UConn and through its formative athletic days well documented.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Dee Rowe And Andy Baylock Are UConn's Chatty Treasures," 6 June 2018
The sweet pics capture Michelle in some of her most formative moments, and her accompanying captions give an intimate look at the lawyer, activist, and mom of two's life.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, "Michelle Obama Shares the Cover of Her Upcoming Memoir "Becoming"," 24 May 2018
For Kristen Meinzer, who grew up in Minnesota and now lives in New York, watching Prince Charles and Princess Diana Spencer’s 1981 wedding on television was a formative moment.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Meet 3 of America's Most Fanatical Royals Fans Who Are Traveling to Windsor for Harry and Meghan's Wedding," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.