reform

[rɪˈfɔːm]

reform Definition

  • 1make changes in (something, especially an institution or practice) in order to improve it
  • 2a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
  • 3the action or process of reforming an institution or practice

Using reform: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "reform" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The government promised to reform the healthcare system.

  • Example

    The school is planning to reform its disciplinary policies.

  • Example

    The company underwent a major reform after the scandal.

  • Example

    The political party is calling for reforms in the justice system.

reform Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for reform

Idioms Using reform

  • ring the changes/reforms

    make a series of changes or improvements in something

    Example

    The new CEO promised to ring the changes in the company's management structure.

  • set one's house in order/reform

    put one's affairs in order or make necessary changes to improve one's situation

    Example

    After losing his job, he decided to set his house in order by going back to school.

  • it is difficult to change one's established patterns of behavior

    Example

    Even after years of therapy, some people find that old habits die hard.

Phrases with reform

  • a school for juvenile delinquents, where they are given discipline and training

    Example

    He was sent to a reform school after being caught stealing.

  • an organized effort to bring about social or political change, usually by improving laws or institutions

    Example

    The civil rights movement was a reform movement that aimed to end racial discrimination.

  • a branch of Judaism that emphasizes modernity and social justice, and adapts traditional practices to contemporary circumstances

    Example

    She converted to reform Judaism after attending a liberal synagogue.

Origins of reform

from Latin 'reformare', meaning 'to form again'

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Summary: reform in Brief

The verb 'reform' [rɪˈfɔːm] means to make changes in order to improve something, often referring to institutions or practices. Examples include 'The government promised to reform the healthcare system.' and 'The company underwent a major reform after the scandal.' The term extends into phrases like 'reform school,' and idioms like 'ring the changes/reforms,' denoting a series of changes, and 'old habits die hard,' implying difficulty in changing established behavior.

How do native speakers use this expression?