Definition

1. Noun:

   • An improvement or change made to a system, law, or organization to make it better or more just: "Reform" refers to the process or result of making changes to correct faults, remove injustices, or improve conditions.
   • A personal change for the better in behavior or morals: "Reform" can also describe an individual's abandonment of bad habits or wrongdoings to adopt a better way of life.

2. Verb:

   • To make changes in something to improve it or correct it: This involves altering a system, law, or practice to remove abuses or defects.
   • To cause someone to stop behaving in a wrong or criminal way and live a better life: This means to persuade or help someone to abandon bad habits or immoral conduct.
   • (Chemistry) To break down a complex substance into simpler ones, or to reorganize its molecular structure: This is a technical use of the word in science and industry.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The government introduced a series of economic reforms.
  • His reform from a life of crime was an inspiration to others.
  • The reform of the education system was long overdue.

• Verb:

  • The new leader vowed to reform the corrupt tax system.
  • After his arrest, he promised to reform and become a better person.
  • The chemical process is used to reform crude oil into gasoline.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in need of reform": to require change or improvement.
  • The outdated law is clearly in need of reform.
• "A reforming zeal": a strong, enthusiastic desire to make improvements.
  • She tackled the project with a reforming zeal.

Variants and Related Words

• Reformer (n): a person who advocates or works for change and improvement.
  • She was a famous social reformer.
• Reformation (n): the action or process of reforming an institution or practice. (Often capitalized: , referring to the 16th-century religious movement).
  • The reformation of the prison system is a complex task.
• Reformative (adj): intended to produce reform.
  • The program has a reformative purpose.
• Reformatory (n/adj): (as a noun) an institution for reforming young offenders; (as an adjective) having the purpose of reform.
  • He was sent to a reformatory for juveniles.

Synonyms

• Improvement: a change for the better.
• Amendment: a minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc.
• Rehabilitation: the action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy.
• Correction: a change that rectifies an error or inaccuracy.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Reform" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically conveyed as a standalone verb.)

Related Idioms

• "To mend one's ways": This idiom is a close synonym for the personal meaning of "to reform," meaning to improve one's behavior or habits.
  • After the warning, he finally decided to mend his ways.

Noun

1. self-improvement in behavior or morals by abandoning some vice
   • the family rejoiced in the drunkard's reform
2. a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices
   • the reforms he proposed were too radical for the politicians
3. a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
   • justice was for sale before the reform of the law courts

Verb

1. change for the better
   • The lazy student promised to reform
   • the habitual cheater finally saw the light
2. improve by alteration or correction of errors or defects and put into a better condition
   • reform the health system in this country
3. break up the molecules of
   • reform oil
4. produce by cracking
   • reform gas
5. bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of life, conduct, and adopt a right one
   • The Church reformed me
   • reform your conduct
6. make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices
   • reform a political system