Word
reform
Phoneticsre·form, stress on the second syllable
/ɹəˈfɔɹm/
Definitions
01improvement of a system
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a change made to a system, law, or organization to make it better or fairer.
n. the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, or unsatisfactory in a system or law.
Español:reforma
“The government is planning a major reform of the healthcare system next year.”
“Economic reform remains a priority for the administration as they attempt to address the widening gap between urban and rural incomes.”
Usage
Often used with 'of' to indicate the system being changed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to improve a system
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make changes to a system or law so that it works better.
v. to improve a system, law, or institution by making changes to its structure or practice.
“They want to reform the tax laws to help small businesses grow.”
“The new director was hired specifically to reform the department's outdated procurement processes and reduce waste.”
Synonyms
03to change personal behavior
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to stop behaving badly and start living a better life.
v. to abandon evil or immoral ways and adopt a better way of life; can be used transitively or intransitively.
“After spending time in prison, he promised to reform and help his community.”
“The program aims to reform young offenders by providing them with vocational training and psychological support.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04Reform Judaism
C1 · Advanced Religion Technical
adj. relating to a branch of Judaism that adapts traditional laws to modern life.
adj. relating to Reform Judaism, a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of the religion.
“They attend a Reform synagogue that holds services in both Hebrew and English.”
“Reform theology typically views the Torah as a living document that must be interpreted in the context of contemporary social values.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reform” in context.
Verb
01. call for reform
“Protesters gathered in the capital to call for urgent reform of the judicial system.”
verb + prep + noun
02. implement a reform
“The government struggled to implement the economic reforms required by the international treaty.”
verb + noun
03. push for radical reform
“The new administration is pushing for radical reform of the healthcare sector.”
verb + prep + adj + noun
Adjective
04. long-overdue reform
“The committee finally approved the long-overdue reform of the tax code.”
adj + noun
05. sweeping reform
“The sweeping reforms introduced last year have completely transformed the labor market.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. pace of reform
“Many citizens are frustrated by the slow pace of reform in the education department.”
noun + of + noun
07. reform agenda
“The prime minister placed environmental protection at the top of his reform agenda.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. in need of reform
“Experts agree that the outdated welfare system is desperately in need of reform.”
prep + noun + prep + noun
09. reforms to social
Real-World Examples
“Local and state authorities must work to improve conditions, ensure access to effective remedies and reform or eliminate the 24-hour workday system in line with international human rights standards, the experts said.” “Labour's employment reforms are set to cut the number of hours staff can work before they must be offered guaranteed time.” “Any realistic package of reforms must acknowledge this situation, providing improved rights and resources for family carers alongside reforms to social care.” “Andrew Neilson, the director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the government would struggle to achieve any immediate relief for the overcrowding crisis by seeking to deport foreign prisoners.” Etymology
From Middle English reformen, borrowed from Old French reformer and ultimately from Latin reformo, reformare; the noun entered English in the 1660s via French réforme.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/reform
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0