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Definition of formative adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

formative

adjective
 
/ˈfɔːmətɪv/
 
/ˈfɔːrmətɪv/
[only before noun]
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  1. having an important and lasting influence on the development of something or of somebody’s character
    • the formative years of childhood
    • formative influences in the development of the labour movement
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryFormative is used with these nouns:
    • experience
    • influence
    • period
    • …
    See full entry
    Word Originlate 15th cent.: from Old French formatif, -ive or medieval Latin formativus, from Latin formare ‘to form’, based on Latin forma ‘a mould or form’.
See formative in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee formative in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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Nearby words

buttercup
noun
 
 
From the Topic
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