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 of formative

Adjective

• creative
• productive
• constructive

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

That belief in the expressive possibilities of clothing would eventually take her to Tokyo and then New York, with formative experiences working for Yohji Yamamoto and Raf Simons during his tenure at Calvin Klein. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026

Grohl pointed to their 1980 documentary Let There be Rock as one of the most formative musical experiences of his life. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2026

Kraddick’s sudden death left a deep impression on then-46-year-old Bert Weiss, who worked with Kraddick during his formative radio years. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026

In his new memoir, Fictional Selves (recently excerpted in The Hollywood Reporter) actor Kyle Maclachlan, recalled the surreal, formative experience of shooting Dune in the Mexican desert alongside Stewart. — Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026

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