formative

1 of 2

adjective

for·​ma·​tive ˈfȯr-mə-tiv How to pronounce formative (audio)
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

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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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
But their formative years have also been shaped by major economic dislocations like the pandemic as well as the highest inflation in more than 40 years, heavy student debt, and a tight housing market that is accessible to fewer Americans. Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2024 With all his influences on full display, Cloudy offers a rare peek into the formative years of one of R&B’s most interesting and most underrated singer-songwriters, now 27. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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 See all Example Sentences for formative 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of formative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near formative

Cite this Entry

“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formative. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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 How to pronounce formative (audio)
: capable of alteration by growth and development
also : producing new cells and tissues

More from Merriam-Webster on formative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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