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- Dictionaryform/fɔːm/
noun
- 1. the visible shape or configuration of something: "the form, colour, and texture of the tree" Similar shapeconfigurationformationconformationstructureconstructionarrangementdispositionappearanceoutward form/appearanceexteriorcontourslinesoutlinesilhouetteprofiledesignformatcutpatternmould
- ▪ the body or shape of a person or animal: "she admired his muscular form" Similar bodyshapefiguresilhouetteproportionsstaturebuildframephysiqueanatomyinformal:vital statisticschassisbod
- ▪ style, design, and arrangement in an artistic work as distinct from its content: "these videos are a triumph of form over content" Similar structurearrangementconstructionframeworkformatlayoutdesignorganizationsystemplanningorderorderlinesssymmetryproportionOpposite content
- 2. a particular way in which a thing exists or appears: "essays in book form" Similar manifestationappearanceembodimentincarnationsemblanceshapeguisecharacterdescriptionexpression
- ▪ any of the ways in which a word may be spelled, pronounced, or inflected: "an adjectival form"
- ▪ the structure of a word, phrase, sentence, or discourse: "every distinction in meaning is associated with a distinction in form"
- ▪ the essential nature of a species or thing, especially (in Plato's thought) regarded as an abstract ideal which real things imitate or participate in.
- 3. a type or variety of something: "sponsorship is a form of advertising" Similar kindsorttypeorderclassclassificationcategoryvarietygenrebrandstylespeciesgenusfamilygenerationbreedstraindenominationtechnical:phylum
- ▪ an artistic or literary genre: "a form is as good as the writer who chooses it"
- ▪ a taxonomic category that ranks below variety, which contains organisms differing from the typical kind in some trivial, frequently impermanent, character, e.g. a colour variant.
- 4. the customary or correct method or procedure: "an excessive concern for legal form and precedent" Similar etiquettesocial practicecustomusageusehabitwontprotocolprocedurerulesconventiontraditionfashionstyleroutineritualpatternregimenpolicymethodsystemwayruleformulaset formulamodus operandiformal:praxis
- ▪ a ritual or convention: "the outward forms of religion"
- ▪ a set order of words; a formula: "a form of words"
- 5. a mould, frame, or block in or on which something is shaped.
- ▪ a temporary structure for holding fresh concrete in shape while it sets.
- 6. a printed document with blank spaces for information to be inserted: "an application form" Similar questionnairedocumentcoupontear-off slipsheet of paperpaperapplication (form)entry formreportreturnrecord
- 7. a class or year in a school, usually given a specifying number: British "the fifth form" Similar classyearschool grouptutor groupsetstreambandgrade
- 8. the state of a sports player or team with regard to their current standard of play: "they are one of the best teams around on current form" Similar fitnessphysical fitnessconditionfettleshapetrimhealthstate of healthinformal:nick
- ▪ details of previous performances by a racehorse or greyhound: "an interested bystander studying the form"
- ▪ a person's mood and state of health: "she seemed to be on good form"
- ▪ a criminal record: informal British "they both had form" Similar a criminal recorda police recordprevious convictionsa history of crimeinformal:previous
- 9. a long bench without a back. British Similar benchlong seatpewsettlestall
- 10. variant spelling of forme US
- 11. a hare's lair. British
verb
- 1. bring together parts or combine to create (something): "the company was formed in 1982" Similar set updeviseestablishfoundlaunchfloatcreatebring into beingput in placeorganizeinstitutestartbeginget goinginitiatebring aboutinauguratelay the foundations ofarrangedraw upline upassembleorganizesortorderrangearraydisposemarshaldeploygathergroupplacepositionrankgradeOpposite abolishdissolve
- ▪ go to make up or constitute: "the precepts which form the basis of the book" Similar comprisemakemake upconstitutecomposeadd up toaccount forrepresentconstituteserve asact asfunction asperform the function ofdo duty formakeembodycomposecomprise
- ▪ gradually appear or develop: "a thick mist was forming all around" Similar materializecome into being/existencecrystallizeemergespring updeveloptake shapeappearloomshow upbecome visiblecome into viewpresent itselfreveal itselfshow itselfOpposite disappear
- ▪ conceive (an idea) in one's mind: "to form a judgement he seeks further information" Similar formulatedeviseconceivework outthink uppreparemake readyget readywork uplaydraw upput togetherproducefashionconcoctconstructframeforgehatchdeveloporganizeinformal:dream up
- ▪ establish (a relationship): "the women would form supportive friendships"
- ▪ articulate (a word or other linguistic unit).
- ▪ construct (a new word) by derivation or inflection.
- 2. make or be made into a specific shape or form: "form the dough into balls" Similar makefashionshapemodelmouldforgefoundcastsculpthewcarveconstructbuildmanufacturefabricateassembleput togethercreateproduceconcoctdevisecontriveframe
- ▪ have a specified shape: "her body was slight and flawlessly formed"
- ▪ bring or be brought into a certain formation: "Mortimer formed up his troops for the march"
- ▪ influence (something abstract): "the role of the news media in forming public opinion" Similar developmouldshapetrainteachinstructeducateschooltutorcoachgroomdrilldisciplineprimeprepareguidedirectinformverseenlighteninculcateindoctrinateedifycultivateimprovebetterupliftelevate
Word Origin Middle English: from Old French forme (noun), fo(u)rmer (verb, from Latin formare ‘to form’), both based on Latin forma ‘a mould or form’.
Derivatives
- 1. formability noun
- 2. formable adjective
Scrabble Points: 9
F
4O
1R
1M
3
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