formative

1 of 2

adjective

for·​ma·​tive ˈfȯr-mə-tiv How to pronounce formative (audio)
1
a
: giving or capable of giving form : constructive
a formative influence
b
: used in word formation or inflection
2
: capable of alteration by growth and development
also : producing new cells and tissues
3
: of, relating to, or characterized by formative effects or formation
formative years
formatively adverb

formative

2 of 2

noun

: the element (such as a suffix) in a word that serves to give the word appropriate form and is not part of the base

Did you know?

Whatever gives shape to something else may be called formative: for example, the Grand Canyon is a product of the formative power of water, and the automobile was a huge formative influence on the design of America's cities. But it usually applies to some kind of shaping that isn't physical. An ambitious plan, for example, goes through a formative stage of development. The formative years of the U.S. included experimentation with various forms of government. And the most important formative experiences in our own lives tend to take place in the first 20 years or so.

Examples of formative in a Sentence

Adjective This experience had a formative influence on his art. a teacher who was a formative influence on generations of students
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
After one of them, a man came up to tell me about a formative experience in his life. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Nov. 2024 My formative years were defined by consequence-free lies about weapons of mass destruction and collateralized debt obligations—the victims losing everything while the perpetrators and their enablers were re-elected or moved seamlessly on to lucrative speaking engagements and advisory boards. Keenan Robbins, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Any Hollywood star who has done a big movie — or at least one formative to their career — probably has taken a special prop or two from set. Andrea Towers, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2022 See all Example Sentences for formative 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of formative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near formative

Cite this Entry

“Formative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formative. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

formative

adjective
for·​ma·​tive
ˈfȯr-mət-iv
1
: giving or able to give form
a formative influence
2
: of, relating to, or characterized by important growth or formation
formative years
formatively adverb
formativeness noun

Medical Definition

formative

adjective
for·​ma·​tive ˈfȯr-mət-iv How to pronounce formative (audio)
: capable of alteration by growth and development
also : producing new cells and tissues

More from Merriam-Webster on formative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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