Reformatory — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ri-ˈfȯr-mə-ˌtȯr-ē/ re·for·ma·to·ry

Meaning & Definition of Reformatory

Reformatory (adjective)

  1. reformative

Reformatory (noun)

  1. a penal institution to which especially young or first offenders are committed for training and reformation

Reformatory (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. serving to raise or adjust something to some standard or proper condition

    "the belief that manual labor was a reformatory experience for convicted felons, who would learn the value of hard work"

    similar: amendatory, corrective, rectifying, reformative, remedial, remedying
    related: curative, medicinal, therapeutic, reparative, restorative, beneficial, helpful, salutary, wholesome, antidotal, counteractive, counterbalancing

Reformatory (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in training school, reform school

    similar: reform school, training school, dungeon, keep, oubliette, concentration camp, gulag, labor camp, prison camp, stalag, work camp, glasshouse (British), guardhouse, hulk(s), block, ward, bull pen, cage, cell, hole, tank, bastille, big house (slang), bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink (slang), cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jail, jailhouse, joint (slang), jug, lockup, nick (British slang), pen, penitentiary, pokey (slang), prison, quod (British slang), slam, slammer, stir (slang), stockade, tolbooth (Scottish)
    opposite: outside

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reformatory

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reformatory:

Slang: big house, clink, joint, pokey, stir
British slang: nick, quod
British: glasshouse
Scottish: tolbooth
amendatory, corrective, rectifying, reformative, remedial, remedying, reform school, training school, dungeon, keep, oubliette, concentration camp, gulag, labor camp, prison camp, stalag, work camp, guardhouse, hulk(s), block, ward, bull pen, cage, cell, hole, tank, bastille, bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jail, jailhouse, jug

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Reformatory

Words with the opposite meaning of Reformatory:

outside

Related Words for Reformatory

curative, medicinal, therapeutic, reparative, restorative, beneficial, helpful, salutary, wholesome, antidotal, counteractive, counterbalancing

Word Forms of Reformatory

Inflections: reformatories

Origin & Etymology of Reformatory

First known use: 1589

Frequently Asked Questions about Reformatory

What does "Reformatory" mean?

"Reformatory" means reformative. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: reformative. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reformatory"?

Other words for "Reformatory" include amendatory, corrective, rectifying, reformative, remedial, remedying, reform school and training school. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reformatory" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reformatory"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reformatory". Common alternatives include amendatory, corrective, rectifying, reformative, remedial, remedying, reform school, training school, dungeon and keep.

What is a slang word for "Reformatory"?

Slang words for "Reformatory" include big house, clink, joint, pokey, stir and nick.

What is the opposite of "Reformatory"?

Antonyms of "Reformatory" include outside.

How do you use "Reformatory" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reformatory" in a sentence: "the belief that manual labor was a reformatory experience for convicted felons, who would learn the value of hard work".

Is "Reformatory" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reformatory" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Reformatory"?

"Reformatory" is pronounced /ri-ˈfȯr-mə-ˌtȯr-ē/ and divided into syllables as re·for·ma·to·ry.