Meaning & use
formative
Having a strong and lasting influence on the development of someone's character or identity.
See it in a sentence
Her formative years in a small coastal town shaped her lifelong love of the sea.
Teachers can play a formative role in a young student's attitude toward learning.
A note on using this word
Formative is most often paired with 'years,' 'experience,' or 'influence,' emphasizing shaping character rather than physical growth.
Words with a similar meaning
influentialdevelopmental
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
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