Definition
As a verb, to reform is to change something, especially a system or behavior, to make it better. As a noun, reform is the process or result of such improvement, often in politics, law, or society.
Etymology
From Latin *reformare* meaning ‘to form again, reshape’, from *re-* (again) + *formare* (to form). It originally meant giving something a new, better shape.
Kelly Says
Reform movements don’t always create something completely new—they ‘re-shape’ what already exists so it fits current values better. Personal reform is the same: you’re still you, just re-formed with different habits.
Translations
AFAfrikaans
hervorm
her-VORM
BGБългарски
реформирам
re-for-MI-ram
BNবাংলা
সংস্কার করা
shong-skaar ko-ra
CACatalà
reformar
re-for-MAR
CSČeština
reformovat
re-for-MO-vat
DADansk
reformere
re-for-ME-re
DEDeutsch
reformieren
re-for-MEE-ren
ELΕλληνικά
μεταρρυθμίζω
me-tar-ri-thmi-ZO
ESEspañol
reformar
re-for-MAR
ETEesti
reformima
re-for-MI-ma
EUEuskara
erreformatu
e-rre-for-MA-tu
FAفارسی
اصلاح کردن
es-laah kar-dan
FISuomi
uudistaa
uu-DIS-taa
FRFrançais
réformer
re-for-ME
GLGalego
reformar
re-for-MAR
HIहिन्दी
सुधार करना
sud-haar kar-na
HRHrvatski
reformirati
re-for-MI-ra-ti
HUMagyar
reformál
re-for-MAAL
IDBahasa Indonesia
mereformasi
me-re-for-MA-si
ITItaliano
riformare
ri-for-MA-re
JA日本語
改革する
kai-kaku su-ru
KO한국어
개혁하다
gae-hyeok-ha-da
LTLietuvių
reformuoti
re-for-MUO-ti
LVLatviešu
reformēt
re-for-MET
MNМонгол
шинэчлэх
shinechlekh
MSBahasa Melayu
memperbaharui
mem-per-ba-ha-rui
MYမြန်မာ
ပြုပြင်သည်
pyu-pyin-thi
NLNederlands
hervormen
her-VOR-men
NONorsk
reformere
re-for-ME-re
PLPolski
reformować
re-for-MO-vach
PTPortuguês
reformar
re-for-MAR
RORomână
reforma
re-for-MA
RUРусский
реформировать
re-for-mi-RO-vat
SKSlovenčina
reformovať
re-for-MO-vat
SLSlovenščina
reformirati
re-for-MI-ra-ti
SRСрпски
реформирати
re-for-MI-ra-ti
SVSvenska
reformera
re-for-ME-ra
SWKiswahili
rekebisha
re-ke-BI-sha
TAதமிழ்
சீர்திருத்து
seer-ti-rut-tu
TEతెలుగు
సంస్కరణ చేయు
sams-kara-na che-yu
TRTürkçe
reform yapmak
re-FORM yap-MAK
UKУкраїнська
реформувати
re-for-mu-VA-ty
URاردو
اصلاح کرنا
is-laah kar-na
VITiếng Việt
cải cách
cai cach
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
"Reform" has been central in movements around marriage law, property rights, workplace protections, and suffrage, where women and gender minorities were often the subjects but not the authors of reform. Language of reform has sometimes framed expanded rights as "concessions" rather than recognition of equality.
Inclusive Usage
Specify who drives and benefits from reform, and avoid implying that groups seeking gender equity are asking for special treatment rather than equal rights.
Inclusive Alternatives
["change","improvement","policy change","restructuring"]
Empowerment Note
Highlight women and gender-diverse reformers—such as labor organizers, suffrage leaders, and legal advocates—who designed and led key reforms rather than merely receiving them.