reform

1 of 2

verb

re·​form ri-ˈfȯrm 

reformed; reforming; reforms

transitive verb

1

a

: to put or change into an improved form or condition

b

: to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses

2

: to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action

3

: to induce or cause to abandon evil ways

reform prisoners

4

a

: to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking

b

: to produce (gasoline, gas, etc.) by cracking

intransitive verb

: to become changed for the better

reformability

ri-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

reformable

ri-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl 

adjective

reformability

2 of 2

noun

re·​form·​abil·​i·​ty ri-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the capability of being reformed

question of the reformability of alcoholics

Synonyms of reform

Verb

• rehabilitate
• redeem

Choose the Right Synonym for reform

correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong.

correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects.

correct your spelling

rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed.

rectify a misguided policy

emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript.

emend a text

remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil.

set out to remedy the evils of the world

redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance.

redress past social injustices

amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes,

amend a law

reform implying drastic change,

plans to reform the court system

and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes.

revise the schedule

Examples of reform in a Sentence

Verb

The program is designed to reform prisoners.

They want to reform campaign spending.

The laws need to be reformed.

The program is designed to help former gang members who are trying to reform.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Hilton proposes to reform the California Environmental Quality Act so that only government prosecutors can sue, preventing private individuals and organizations from stopping or delaying new housing projects. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

The recent layoffs come amid continuing calls to spin off or reform the insurer. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 29 May 2026

O’Hara was an outsider brought in with a mandate to reform the police department after the 2020 killing of George Floyd, which led to federal and state investigative findings of excessive force and racist policing practices. —ABC News, 28 May 2026

The push to reform the SIBTF process has been brewing for several years. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French refurmer, from Latin reformare, from re- + formare to form, from forma form

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing reform

• anti-reform
• counter-reform
• land reform
• reform school

Rhymes for reform

• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• perform
• planform
• platform
• preform

Kids Definition

reform

1 of 3 verb

re·​form ri-ˈfȯ(ə)rm 

1

: to make better by removal of faults

reform a prisoner

2

: to correct or improve one's own behavior or habits

reformable

-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl 

adjective

reform

2 of 3 noun

1

: improvement in what is bad

2

: a removal or correction of an abuse, a wrong, or errors

re-form

3 of 3 verb

(ˈ)rē-ˈfȯ(ə)rm

: to form again

the ice re-formed on the lake

Legal Definition

reform

transitive verb

re·​form ri-ˈfȯrm 

1

: to put (a writing) into a corrected form that more accurately reflects the agreement of the parties

allows a writing signed by mistake to be reformed

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

compare ratify

2

: to induce or cause to abandon wrongful or harmful ways

a reformed drug dealer

intransitive verb

: to become changed for the better