Word family noun form formation transformation reformer reform reformation reformist transformer formlessness adjective reformed reformist formless verb form reform transform adverb formlessly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishreformre‧form1 /rɪˈfɔːm $ -ɔːrm/ ●●○ W3 noun [countable, uncountable] CHANGE/MAKE something DIFFERENTa change or changes made to a system or organization in order to improve itreform of a reform of the legal systemeconomic/political/educational reform The government announced a much-needed programme of economic reform. Reforms were made to revive the economy.far-reaching/sweeping/radical reforms The prime minister is calling for sweeping reforms of the NHS.COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + reform economic reformThe prime minister has promised to push ahead with economic reform.political/democratic/constitutional reformHe stressed that democratic reform could not be achieved overnight.tax reformThe chancellor's proposals for tax reform met strong resistance in the Commons.education reformTeachers say the government's education reforms are causing stress.a major reformHe called for a major reform of the drug laws.radical reform (=very big and important changes)His government adopted a policy of radical reform.fundamental reform (=changes to the most basic and important parts of something)He wants fundamental reform of the EU's agricultural policy. far-reaching/sweeping reforms (=reforms that affect many things or have a great effect)The new government instituted a series of far-reaching reforms.verbsmake/carry out reformsThey haven't made any real reforms.introduce reformsThey increased pressure on the government to introduce political reforms.push through reforms (=make them happen)He has so far failed to push through much-needed economic reforms.implement reforms (=carry out planned reforms)Much will depend on how local managers implement the reforms.phrasesa package/programme of reformsA package of reforms was approved by the National Assembly on April 12. Examples from the Corpus
reform• Reforms in agriculture, although slow, are beginning to have an impact.• They pushed an agenda to reverse recent academic reforms and give students more power within the university administration.• The army, on the other hand, has remained largely neutral in the unprecedented fight to force democratic reform from Milosevic.• The Socialists have promised a programme of radical political and economic reform.• These protections addressed issues ranging from the death penalty and homosexual rights to term limits, campaign-finance reform, and congressional redistricting.• Feminists sought legal reforms to ensure that women had genuinely equal opportunities.• The ability of party leaders to manipulate the nomination process had been substantially undercut, however, by party reform.• Clinton repeated his call, made in his first inaugural address in 1993, for political reform.• The revival in the island's economy has come about because of radical reforms introduced over the past three years.• Examples of radical reform, proposals for it and attempts to obtain it may be drawn from all parts of the globe.• Tax reforms did not benefit the middle class.• This is not the end of the reform movement, because it depends on society.• All of this may help to explain why I support with passion the reforms proposed by David Blunkett earlier this week.• the reform of local governmentreform of• The governor has called for reform of the forestry laws.reformreform2 ●●○ verb 1 [transitive]CHANGE/MAKE something DIFFERENT to improve a system, law, organization etc by making a lot of changes to it, so that it operates in a fairer or more effective way plans to radically reform the tax system2 [intransitive, transitive]BEHAVE to change your behaviour and become a better person, or to make someone do this Greeley says he’s a genuinely reformed character. a reformed criminal→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
reform• Parliament will soon be asked to approve measures to reform education, health, the criminal justice system and welfare provision.• Those countries that have made most headway in their reforming efforts are simply the precursors of the others.• It is tough to reform something that is shapeless and indifferent to improvement, like Jell-O in the hands of a carpenter.• Voters also heavily endorsed a clause on the ballot paper calling for the convening of a constituent assembly to reform the Constitution.• The failure of the ruling Socialist Party to reform the economy has plunged the country into disaster.• Plans to reform the health care system have failed more than once.• We are working to reform the nation's prisons.• The White Paper marks a step change in our programme for reforming the public sector.• They reformed the voting system, and introduced a secret ballot.• Dogs that bite can be reformed with good training.reformed character• But he was not a reformed character.• Moz had become a reformed character.• Nutty began to think Nails was a reformed character.• Peter O'Toole is another reformed character.• For reasons not apparent he had become a reformed character: he worked diligently and spent long hours in the laboratory.From Longman Business Dictionaryreformre‧form1 /rɪˈfɔːm-ɔːrm/ verb [transitive] to change a system, law, organization etc so that it operates in a fairer or more effective wayThe government has announced its plans to reform the tax system. —reformer noun [countable]The reformers will have to keep public support on their side if their bold economic experiments are to succeed.→ See Verb tablereformreform2 noun [countable, uncountable] a change made to a system, law, organization etc so that it operates in a fairer or more effective wayradical reforms of the company taxation systemThere is an urgent need for economic reform.Origin reform1 (1300-1400) Old French reformer, from Latin reformare, from formare “to form” 