reform
gb/ɹɪfˈɔɹm/ us/ɹɪfˈɔɹm/
B1
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Improve by making changes
To make changes to something so that it is better.
Usage pattern:
to reform [system/practice]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reform' with 'transform'; 'transform' means to completely change form or nature, which may not involve improvement.
Synonyms
improve (More general and can refer to any kind of improvement, not just structural or systemic change.)
|
revamp (Informal; suggests a thorough redesign or modernization.)
Antonyms
corrupt (To make a system or person morally worse, opposite of improving integrity.)
Collocations
reform the system
|reform education
|reform the law
|reform policy
Themes
politics
|law
|society
|business
Examples
- The government plans to reform the healthcare system.
- The committee was formed to reform outdated tax laws.
- We need to reform the way we handle waste disposal.
- The education board voted to reform the curriculum.
- Activists are calling to reform the criminal justice system.
Learner examples
- The city wants to reform its schools.
- They will reform the old law.
- We must reform how we use water.
- He works to reform the prison system.
- The group will reform the rules.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Change made for improvement
A change made to make something better.
Usage pattern:
[reform] of [system/practice]
Common mistake:
Some learners incorrectly use 'reform' as plural without 's' when referring to multiple changes; correct form is 'reforms' in such cases.
Synonyms
improvement (General term for making something better; does not always imply structural changes.)
|
overhaul (Suggests a major review and significant changes, often technical or organizational.)
Antonyms
regression (A return to a worse or less developed state.)
Collocations
education reform
|legal reform
|healthcare reform
|political reform
Themes
politics
|law
|society
|business
Examples
- The new reforms in education have been widely praised.
- Healthcare reform is a major political issue.
- The country is undergoing major legal reforms.
- Tax reform is needed to support economic growth.
- Reforms in policing aim to build public trust.
Learner examples
- We need reform in our schools.
- The city made many reforms to traffic laws.
- Healthcare reform is important for everyone.
- They want reform in the voting system.
- Reform in the law will help people.
Verb
B2
action
3
Improve someone's behavior
To help someone become a better person by changing bad behavior.
Usage pattern:
to reform [someone]
Synonyms
rehabilitate (Often used in formal contexts, especially for criminals or addicts; focuses on restoring good condition or status.)
Antonyms
corrupt (To make someone morally worse.)
Collocations
reform criminals
|reform offenders
|reform a person
Themes
behavior
|morality
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- The program aims to reform young offenders.
- She was determined to reform her son after his arrest.
- The charity works to reform drug addicts.
- He claims prison helped to reform him.
- The school hopes to reform students with behavioral problems.
Learner examples
- The teacher wants to reform the bad students.
- He tried to reform his brother.
- They work to reform criminals.
- She hopes to reform her friend.
- The group helps reform young people.
Noun
B2
action
4
Process of moral improvement
The act of helping someone become better by changing bad behavior.
Synonyms
rehabilitation (Formal; often used for restoring health, skills, or good behavior.)
Antonyms
corruption (Moral decay or worsening of character.)
Collocations
prison reform programs
|moral reform
Themes
behavior
|morality
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- Prison reform is essential for reducing repeat offenses.
- Moral reform movements were popular in the 19th century.
- The community center focuses on the reform of troubled youth.
- Religious groups often work toward the moral reform of individuals.
Learner examples
- Prison reform helps people change.
- The group works for moral reform.
- Reform of bad people is hard.
- They want prison reform programs.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reform
IPA
GB/ɹɪfˈɔɹm/
US/ɹɪfˈɔɹm/
Syllables & stress
re - form (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (form)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reform
- Plural: reform, reforms
Verb
- Base: reform
- 3rd Person Singular: reforms
- Present Participle: reforming
- Past: reformed
Word family
Forms
reforms
noun
reforming
verb
reformed
verb
Core family
reformer
noun B2
Related words
reformation
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unreformed
adjective
Advanced or less common
reformist
noun
Expressions
education reform
1/ˌɛd͡ʒəkˈeɪʃən ɹɪfˈɔɹm/
fixed phrase
Changes in education system
Changes made to make schools and education better.
Examples
- Education reform has been a priority for the new government.
- Teachers are calling for urgent education reform.
prison reform
1/pɹˈɪzən ɹɪfˈɔɹm/
fixed phrase
Changes in prison system
Changes made to make prisons better and help prisoners live better lives after release.
Examples
- Activists are demanding prison reform across the country.
- Prison reform could reduce crime rates in the long term.
reform school
1/ɹɪfˈɔɹm skˈul/
fixed phrase
School for young offenders
A special school for young people who have broken the law or have serious behavior problems.
Examples
- After repeated arrests, he was sent to a reform school.
- Reform schools aim to educate and rehabilitate troubled teens.