formalize
Make something official or give it a defined structure
Examples
In a meeting
“Let's formalize this agreement with a signed contract.”
Over coffee
“We should formalize our dinner plans so everyone knows when to show up.”
Why this word
officialize
formalize means to make official or follow formal procedures, while officialize is less common and emphasizes official status over procedure
legitimize
formalize emphasizes following proper formal procedures, while legitimize focuses on making acceptable or legal
structure
formalize means to give official or proper form, while structure simply means to organize without necessarily formal procedures
Usage tip
Use when transitioning from informal arrangements to official procedures or documentation
Etymology
Latin: formalis (having a set form)
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Related words
bifurcate
To divide into two separate branches or parts
demarcation
A clear boundary or separation between two things
modular
Constructed from standardized units or sections for flexibility and variety
schema
An organized framework or structure for categorizing information
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps.