# formative

/ˈfɔɹmətɪv/ (US) · /fˈɔːmətˌɪv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/formative
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

describing a time or experience that has a big influence on how your character or mind develops.

For teachers: relating to a period of development or growth, particularly in early life, that significantly shapes character or personality.

## Examples

- Those formative years at school shaped his entire career.
- Many psychologists believe that formative experiences in childhood determine how we handle stress as adults.
- The internship proved to be a formative experience for the young architect, exposing her to the practical challenges of urban design that her university courses had only touched upon theoretically.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before nouns like 'years', 'period', or 'experience'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.