reform

1 of 4

verb (1)

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 a drunkard

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

reform

2 of 4

noun

1

: amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved

2

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

3

capitalized : reform judaism

reform

3 of 4

adjective

1

: relating to or favoring reform

All of the great American reform movements—from civil rights to child-labor laws—started far from Washington, D.C. In state legislatures and town halls …

—William Greider

2

Reform : of, relating to, or practicing Reform Judaism

Reform Jews, by the end of the nineteenth century, had adopted the custom of rising to their feet to pronounce the Shema in unison.

—Jonathan D. Sarna

re-form

4 of 4

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈfȯrm 

re-formed; re-forming; re-forms

transitive verb

: to form again

intransitive verb

: to take form again

the ice re-formed on the lake

re-formation

(ˌ)rē-fȯr-ˈmā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• habilitate
• reclaim
• redeem
• regenerate
• rehabilitate

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 (1)

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.

Noun

A group of senators are calling for reform of the nation's health-care system.

He has proposed a list of political reforms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Polymers’ properties and chemical structures change as they are melted and reformed multiple times, and this method—which can be used on pellets, fibers, fabrics and garments—analyzes these changes. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 21 May 2025

Over a decade ago, California reformed health benefits at the insistence of former Gov. Jerry Brown due to the state’s ballooning unfunded liability for medical costs for retirees. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025

Noun

Republicans are also much more supportive of election reforms proposed by President Donald Trump. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025

But other causes of action persist, and the plaintiffs’ attorneys are still pushing to impose reforms that the Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department have yet to implement. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025

Adjective

In a letter, 140 ophthalmologists raised concerns about a rising number of patients with severe eye injuries resulting from being shot with metal pellets and rubber bullets, according to pro-reform Iranian news site Sobhema and Iran International as well as other sites on social media. —Arkansas Online, 27 Nov. 2022

Three of the seven candidates in Iran’s presidential election dropped out days before the June 18 vote, leaving just one pro-reform contender and helping hardline frontrunner Ebrahim Raisi consolidate his support. —Arsalan Shahla, Bloomberg.com, 16 June 2021

Verb

While never a commercial success during its initial run from 1975 to 1982, Pere Ubu would inspire generations of experimental rockers and producers, and re-formed over the years with a revolving lineup around Thomas. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

At the lakeside ice-cream stand, lines ceaselessly form and re-form. —Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

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

First Known Use

Verb (1)

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

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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