Origin of reform

1300–50; (v.) Middle English reformen < Middle French reformer, Old French < Latin refōrmāre (see re-, form); (noun) partly derivative of the v., partly < French réforme

OTHER WORDS FROM reform

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reform

re-form reform

Words nearby reform

reflux, reflux esophagitis, reflux oesophagitis, reflux otitis media, reforest, reform, reform bill, reform flask, reform jew, reform judaism, reform school

Definition for reform (2 of 2)

re-form
[ ree-fawrm ]
/ riˈfɔrm /

verb (used with or without object)

to form again.

Origin of re-form

1300–50; Middle English; orig. identical with reform

OTHER WORDS FROM re-form

re-for·ma·tion, noun re-form·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-form

re-form reform

Words related to reform

restore, renovate, resolve, standardize, repair, amend, reorganize, revolutionize, transform, rehabilitate, rebuild, revise, improve, remake, emend, rearrange, convert, regenerate, renew, rework

Example sentences from the Web for reform

British Dictionary definitions for reform (1 of 2)

reform
/ (rɪˈfɔːm) /

verb

(tr) to improve (an existing institution, law, practice, etc) by alteration or correction of abuses
to give up or cause to give up a reprehensible habit or immoral way of life
chem to change the molecular structure of (a hydrocarbon) to make it suitable for use as petrol by heat, pressure, and the action of catalysts

noun

an improvement or change for the better, esp as a result of correction of legal or political abuses or malpractices
a principle, campaign, or measure aimed at achieving such change
improvement of morals or behaviour, esp by giving up some vice

Derived forms of reform

reformable, adjective reformative, adjective reformer, noun

Word Origin for reform

C14: via Old French from Latin reformāre to form again

British Dictionary definitions for reform (2 of 2)

re-form
/ (riːˈfɔːm) /

verb

to form anew

Derived forms of re-form

re-formation, noun