formalize

F4O1R1M3A1L1I1Z10E1
US/ˈfɔɹ.məlaɪːz/UK/ˈfɔː(ɹ).mə.laɪz/

verb

To give something a definite form; to shape.

Similar
formalisevalidate
Less commonScrabble 23
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Meanings

verbformalize (third-person singular simple present formalizes, present participle formalizing, simple past and past participle formalized)

present singular third person formalizes · participle present formalizing · participle past formalized · past formalized · alternative formalise

  1. transitiveTo give something a definite form; to shape.
  2. intransitiveTo develop into a definite form.

    We have more fun and exciting fundraisers planned, and we're trying to carefully budget them so they don't cut into your life savings. As they formalize, we'll widely publicize these events.

    1984 February 4, Marsha Levine, “Pride '84”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 28, page 5
  3. To give something a formal or official standing.
  4. To act with formality.
  5. mathematicsTo rigorously prove a mathematical result.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbmake formal or official

Similar
formalise
Broader
declareadjudgehold

verbdeclare or make legally valid

Similar
validateformalise
Broader
authorizeauthorisepass
Also see
structuralizevalidate

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From formal + -ize.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian офо́рмям, формализирам
  • офо́рмям (ofórmjam)to give something a definite form
  • формализирам (formaliziram)to give something formal or official standing
  • формализирам се (formaliziram se)to act with formality
Catalan formalitzar, formalitzar
  • formalitzarto give something a definite form
  • formalitzarto give something formal or official standing
Danish formgive, formalisere
  • formgiveto give something a definite form
  • formalisereto give something formal or official standing
Esperanto formi, formaligi
  • formito give something a definite form
  • formaligito give something formal or official standing
Finnish muotoilla, formalisoida
  • muotoillato give something a definite form
  • formalisoidato give something a definite form
  • muodollistaato give something a definite form
  • vahvistaato give something formal or official standing
  • virallistaato give something formal or official standing
  • formaalistaato give something formal or official standing
  • muodollistaato give something formal or official standing
  • toimia muodollisestito act with formality
French formaliser
  • formaliserto give something a definite form
Portuguese formalizar, formalizar
  • formalizarto give something a definite form
  • formalizarto give something formal or official standing
Spanish formalizar, formalizar
  • formalizarto give something a definite form
  • formalizarto give something formal or official standing
  • formalizarto act with formality
Swedish formalisera
  • formaliserato give something formal or official standing
Ukrainian формалізува́ти
  • формалізува́ти (formalizuváty)to give something a definite form

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with formalize

normalize
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

formalize. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formalize

MLA

“formalize.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formalize. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “formalize,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/formalize.

Source: formalize on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.