Re-form or reform?
re-form is a verb meaning “Alternative form of reform”; reform is a verb meaning “To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good…”. re-form is written with a hyphen and reform as one word; they are used differently.
What is the difference between re-form and reform?
| re-form | reform | |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | verb | noun, verb, adjective |
| Meaning | Alternative form of reform | The change of something that is defective, broken, inefficient or otherwise negative, in order to correct or improve it To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits |
| Example | none recorded | The elections need to undergo a serious reform |
| Forms | re-forms, re-forming, re-formed | reforms, reforming, reformed |
| Pronunciation | /ˌɹiːˈfɔɹm/ /ˌɹiːˈfɔːm/ | /ˌɹiːˈfɔɹm/ /ˌɹiːˈfɔːm/ /ɹɪˈfɔɹm/ |
| In writing | not counted (the list counts single words) | 34 times per million words |
Sources: re-form and reform in the English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0); written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
Every current meaning of re-form and reform
re-form
- 1
Alternative form of reform
reform
- 1
The change of something that is defective, broken, inefficient or otherwise negative, in order to correct or improve it
The elections need to undergo a serious reform
- 2
To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better
to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals; to reform a criminal
- 3
A political movement or party
- 4
Of Reform Judaism, its tenets, or its adherents
- 5
To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits
It is hoped that many criminals, upon being freed, will eventually reform
- 6
UKEllipsis of Reform UK (British nationalist party)
- 7
To form again or in a new configuration
This product contains reformed meat
- 8
An evangelical organisation within Anglicanism
Source: the English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0); obsolete, archaic, dialect and rare senses left out.
Which is more common, re-form or reform?
re-form is a phrase, which the list of single words does not count; reform 34 times per million words.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).