reform
To reform means to change something to make it better, like a law or a person's behavior.
Explanation at your level:
To reform means to change something to make it good. If a rule is bad, we change it. That is a reform. If a person was bad but now is good, they have reformed.
When we reform a law, we make it better for everyone. It is like fixing a broken machine. We use this word when we talk about governments or schools changing their rules.
The word reform is used when there is a need for improvement. Governments often talk about tax reform or education reform. It means they want to solve problems by changing the existing system instead of starting from scratch.
In a professional context, reform implies a systematic approach to fixing errors. It is more formal than 'change' or 'fix.' When discussing social issues, we often speak of the need for reform to address inequality or inefficiency in public institutions.
Reform carries a nuance of restoration or idealization. It suggests that the current state is corrupted or flawed and that the proposed changes will return the system to a more functional or 'correct' form. It is frequently used in academic discourse regarding policy, economics, and legal theory.
Etymologically, reform touches upon the concept of 'morphology'—changing the shape of reality. In high-level literary or political analysis, it suggests a profound, transformative shift. It is distinct from 'revolution,' as reform implies working within the existing framework to improve it, rather than destroying the framework entirely.
30초 단어
- Reform means to improve a system.
- It is used for laws and behavior.
- It is a formal word.
- It comes from the Latin for 'form again'.
Think of reform as the act of 're-forming' something. When a system, like a school or a government, isn't working correctly, we need to reform it to make it better. It implies a deep, structural change rather than just a quick fix.
When we talk about a person, reforming means they have turned their life around. They might have made mistakes in the past, but they have chosen to change their habits and become a more responsible member of society. It is a very positive word that focuses on growth and improvement.
The word reform comes from the Latin word reformare, which means 'to form again' or 'to change.' The prefix re- means 'again,' and formare means 'to shape.' So, literally, you are shaping something again to make it look or work better.
It entered English in the 14th century, heavily influenced by the Protestant Reformation, a period where people wanted to change the structure of the church. Over time, the word expanded from religious contexts to include politics, laws, and personal character development.
You will often see reform used in news headlines regarding politics, such as 'tax reform' or 'prison reform.' It is a formal word, so you wouldn't usually use it to describe fixing a broken toy; you would use it for big, serious systems.
When talking about people, you might hear someone say, 'He is a reformed character.' This implies that they have successfully changed their ways. It is a strong, respectful way to describe someone's personal evolution.
While 'reform' isn't always part of a specific idiom, it is used in phrases like 'a reformed character', meaning someone who has changed for the better. Another common expression is 'the reform movement', which refers to a group of people working together to change a specific part of society.
You might also hear 'in need of reform', which is a polite way of saying something is currently broken or failing. These expressions help you sound more professional when discussing social or political issues.
Reform acts as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it is regular: reforms, reformed, reforming. As a noun, it is countable: 'The government passed several reforms.'
The stress is on the second syllable: re-FORM. It rhymes with words like perform, inform, and conform. In British and American English, the pronunciation is quite similar, focusing on that clear 'or' sound at the end.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'form', meaning shape.
Pronunciation Guide
starts with a soft 're' and ends with a long 'orm'
clear 'r' sound at the end
Common Errors
- stressing the first syllable
- pronouncing the 'o' like 'ah'
- confusing with 'inform'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Standard
Standard
Standard
Standard
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Regular Verbs
reform -> reformed
Examples by Level
The school will reform the rules.
change rules
verb usage
The government wants to reform the tax system.
He is trying to reform his bad habits.
The new law is a great reform.
They need to reform the old building's policy.
Can we reform this process?
The committee proposed a reform.
She wants to reform the way we work.
Reform is necessary for progress.
The prison system is in desperate need of reform.
He is a reformed criminal who now helps others.
The party promised major economic reforms.
We need to reform our approach to climate change.
The educational reform was very successful.
They are working to reform the healthcare system.
A reformed smoker, he now promotes health.
The reform package was rejected by the senate.
The government is implementing a comprehensive reform of the judicial system.
Critics argue that the proposed reform does not go far enough.
He has been a vocal advocate for constitutional reform.
The company underwent a total reform of its management structure.
The reform of the civil service has been slow.
She is a reformed character since she started volunteering.
The reform movement gained momentum after the election.
We must reform our internal policies to stay competitive.
The radical reform of the tax code sparked significant public debate.
His reformist ideas were initially met with skepticism by the board.
The institution is undergoing a painful but necessary reform.
There is a growing consensus that the electoral system requires reform.
The reform agenda focuses on transparency and accountability.
She argued that gradual reform is more sustainable than sudden change.
The reform of the pension system is a top priority for the administration.
He sought to reform the outdated practices of the department.
The structural reform of the financial sector was unprecedented in its scope.
The author's work serves as a critique of the failed reform movements of the century.
Political stability often relies on the ability of the state to enact timely reform.
The reform of the liturgy was a central theme of the council.
He advocated for a moral reform of the citizenry.
The reformist zeal of the era led to many social improvements.
The constitutional reform was a landmark achievement for the new government.
The systemic reform of the bureaucracy proved to be an arduous task.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"a reformed character"
someone who has changed for the better
He used to be loud, but he is a reformed character now.
neutral""
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Easily Confused
both mean fix
repair is for objects, reform is for systems
Repair the car, reform the law.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + reform + object
They reformed the law.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
reform is for systems or people, not physical objects
Tips
Prefix Power
Remember RE means again.
System Focus
Only use it for big systems.
Political Context
Often used in news.
Verb vs Noun
It works as both.
Stress the second part
re-FORM.
Avoid physical objects
Don't fix chairs with reform.
History
Comes from the Protestant Reformation.
Contextualize
Read news articles.
Regular Verb
It is a regular verb.
Rhyme check
Rhymes with perform.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
RE-FORM: Form it again to make it better.
Visual Association
A broken statue being carefully reshaped by a sculptor.
Word Web
챌린지
Write one sentence about a rule you would reform.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: to form again
문화적 맥락
None
Very common in political discourse.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Politics
- tax reform
- political reform
- call for reform
Conversation Starters
"What law would you reform?"
"Do you think people can reform?"
"Why is prison reform important?"
"What is a system that needs reform?"
"How do you define a reformed person?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you changed your habits.
If you were a leader, what would you reform?
Why is reform often difficult?
Write about a positive change in your life.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, use repair.
셀프 테스트
The government wants to ___ the laws.
reform means to change laws for the better
Which sentence is correct?
reform is for systems like rules
Reform is used for fixing physical objects like chairs.
reform is for systems or behavior
Word
뜻
context matches
The system needs reform.
점수: /5
Summary
Reform is the act of reshaping a system or a life to make it better.
- Reform means to improve a system.
- It is used for laws and behavior.
- It is a formal word.
- It comes from the Latin for 'form again'.
Prefix Power
Remember RE means again.
System Focus
Only use it for big systems.
Political Context
Often used in news.
Verb vs Noun
It works as both.
