réformer

to reform

verb reh-for-MEH Rare

Also means

to discharge (military)

Usage Note

Réformer means to improve or restructure a system, institution, or law, and is commonly used in political and educational contexts. It also has a specific military sense: to discharge a soldier as unfit for service (être réformé = to be invalided out). This military use is not obviously deducible from the civilian meaning, so learners should note both. The related noun réforme (f) is very frequent in political discourse.

Examples

"Le gouvernement veut réformer le système scolaire."

Natural Translation

The government wants to reform the school system.

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