formative
pronunciation
How to pronounce formative in British English:
UK [ˈfɔːmətɪv]
How to pronounce formative in American English:
US [ˈfɔːrmətɪv]
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- Noun:
- minimal language unit that has a syntactic (or morphological) function
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- Adjective:
- relating to or characterized by formative effects or formation
- susceptible to alteration by development and experience
- beginning to develop
- capable of forming new cells and tissues
- forming or capable of forming or molding
Word Origin
- formative (adj.)
- late 15c., from Middle French formatif, from Latin format-, past participle stem of formare "to form," from forma (see form (n.)). As a noun, in grammar, from 1816.
Example
- 1. Jaw-dropping events were apparently commonplace in my mother 's formative years -- no surprise , since she was such an outsize character herself .
- 2. Meanwhile , only 13 per cent who had close bonds in their formative years became obese .
- 3. The formative experience of my life was the german occupation of hungary in 1944 .
- 4. These are invariably formative experiences that make the protagonist stronger .
- 5. They developed a unique combination of idealism and pragmatism during their formative years .