adj
formative
FAW-muh-tihv
adj
1
Having a strong influence on how someone or something develops.
"Her formative years were spent traveling with her parents."
"Reading widely as a child had a formative effect on his writing."
2
Describing an assessment used to guide ongoing learning rather than to grade final results.
"Teachers use formative feedback to help students improve before the final exam."
How to Use Formative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShaping or influencing development, especially at an early or important stage.
Common pairings
formative years
formative experience
formative assessment
Word Forms
more formative comparative, formatives plural, most formative superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “formative”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ years were spent traveling with her parents.
Etymology
From Latin formativus, "having the power to form," from formare, "to shape."