# reformer

/ɹɪˈfɔɹmɝ/ (US) · /ɹɪfˈɔːmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reformer
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a person who works to improve a system, law, or organization by making changes to it. You use this for someone who wants to fix problems in society or government.

For teachers: an individual who advocates for or works toward the improvement of a social, political, or religious system. Often associated with historical movements aimed at correcting institutional corruption or inefficiency.

## Examples

- The reformer spent years fighting for better working conditions in factories.
- As a dedicated educational reformer, she lobbied the government to provide free textbooks to every primary school student.
- The 19th-century reformer faced significant opposition from established elites who benefited from the very systemic inequalities he sought to dismantle through legislative change.

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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.