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form Definition

form (fôrm)

noun

  1. the shape, outline, or configuration of anything; structure as apart from color, material, etc.
    1. the body or figure of a person or animal
    2. a model of the human figure, esp. one used to display or fit clothes
  3. anything used to give shape to something else; mold; specif., a temporary structure of boards or metal into which concrete is poured to set
  4. the particular mode of existence a thing has or takes water in the form of vapor
    1. arrangement; esp., orderly arrangement; way in which parts of a whole are organized; pattern; style
    2. a specific arrangement, esp. a conventional one
  6. a way of doing something requiring skill; specif., the style or technique of an athlete, esp. when it is the standard or approved one
  7. a customary or conventional way of acting or behaving; ceremony; ritual; formality
  8. a fixed order of words; formula the form of a wedding announcement
  9. a printed document with blank spaces to be filled in an application form
  10. a particular kind, type, species, or variety man is a form of animal life
  11. physical or mental condition with respect to one's performance or effectiveness in good form for the game
    1. racing form
    2. what is or was to be expected, based on past performances to react according to form
  13. the lair or hiding place of a hare, etc.
  14. a long, wooden bench without a back, as formerly in a schoolroom
  15. a grade or class in some private schools and in British secondary schools
  16. Archaic beauty
  17. Gram. any of the different variations in which a word may appear due to changes of inflection, spelling, or pronunciation “am” is a form of the verb “be”
  18. Linguis. linguistic form
  19. Philos. the ideal nature or essential character of a thing as distinguished from its material manifestation; specif., in Plato, an idea (sense )
  20. Printing the type, engravings, etc. locked in a frame, or chase, for printing or plating

Etymology: ME forme < OFr < L forma, a shape, figure, image < ? (via Etr) Gr morphē

transitive verb

  1. to give shape or form to; fashion; make, as in some particular way
  2. to mold or shape by training and discipline; train; instruct
  3. to develop (habits)
  4. to think of; frame in the mind; conceive
  5. to come together into; organize into to form a club
  6. to make up; act as; create out of separate elements; constitute thirteen states formed the original Union
  7. Gram.
    1. to build (words) from bases, affixes, etc.
    2. to construct or make up (a phrase, sentence, etc.)

Etymology: ME formen < OFr fourmer < L formare < the n.

intransitive verb

  1. to be formed; assume shape
  2. to come into being; take form
  3. to take a definite or specific form or shape

form Idioms

good (or bad) form

conduct in (or not in) accord with social custom

form Synonyms

form

n.

  1. Shape

    figure, appearance, plan, arrangement, design, outline, conformation, configuration, formation, structure, style, stance, construction, fashion, mode, scheme, framework, Gestalt (German), contour, profile, silhouette, skeleton, anatomy, articulation.

  2. The human form

    body, frame, torso; see figure 2.

  3. The approved procedure

    manner, mode, custom; see method 2.

  4. Anything intended to give form

    pattern, model, die; see mold 1.

  5. A standard document

    application, questionnaire, blank, data sheet, information, blank, form letter, duplicate, routine letter, pattern, chart, card, report, reference form, order form; see also copy.

  6. A rite

    ritual, formality, custom; see ceremony 2.

  7. Type

    make, sort, class; see class 1, kind 2.

  8. Arrangement

    organization, placement, scheme; see order 3.

  9. Convention

    habit, practice, usage; see custom 1, 2.

form denotes the arrangement of the parts of a thing that gives it its distinctive appearance and is the broadest term here, applying also to abstract concepts; figure is applied to physical form as determined by the bounding lines or surfaces; outline is used of the lines bounding the limits of an object and, in an extended sense, suggests a general plan without detail; shape, although also stressing outline, is usually applied to something that has mass or bulk and may refer to nonphysical concepts her story began to take shape; configuration stresses the relative disposition of parts or elements an irregular configuration of streets, the configuration of the landscape

form Synonyms

form

v.

  1. To give shape to a thing

    mold, shape, pattern, model, arrange, make, block out, block, fashion, construct, devise, plan, design, contrive, produce, invent, frame, scheme, plot, compose, erect, build, cast, cut, carve, chisel, hammer out, forge, put together, plane, whittle, assemble, conceive, create, outline, trace, develop, cultivate, work, complete, finish, consummate, perfect, fix, regulate, knock together, establish, sculpture, sculpt, pat, bend, twist, knead, set, determine, arrive at, reach, settle, articulate.

    Antonyms destroy*, demolish*, shatter. *

  2. To give character to a person

    instruct, rear, breed, mold; see teach 1, 2, train 4.

  3. To comprise

    constitute, make up, figure in, act as; see compose 1.

  4. To take form

    accumulate, condense, harden, set, settle, rise, appear, take shape, grow, develop, unfold, mature, materialize, eventuate, become a reality, take on character, crystallize, assume definite characteristics, become visible, be finalized, fall into place, shape up*, get into shape*.

    Antonyms disappear*, dissolve*, waste away. See syn. study at make.make.

form Law Definition

n

A standard legal document sold or published to be used as a model, or to be prepared by filling in blanks; the outward appearance of something, as opposed to its substance.

form Usage Examples

Object

  • basis: Scripture will often form the basis for the day.
  • part: Such guidance does not form part of the Local Plan Review.

Converse of object

  • complete: You may be asked to complete a simple form or a member of staff may enter details directly onto the library computer system.
  • download: You can order online here - where you can also download an order form.
  • submit: Once you have submitted the form, one of our bookings staff will call or e-mail you back with the reply to your inquiry.
  • take: The Importance of Music will take the form of two distinct sessions.
  • sign: All volunteers will sign a form to say they have been trained.

Preposition: at

bottom: You may revise your username and password using the form at the bottom of this page.

Adjective modifier

  • online: For your reservation at Westland Hotel London, simply click here to complete our secure online booking form.
  • sixth: I think in the first few weeks we actually had more lecture time than we had in sixth form.
  • various: Radiotherapy is almost always used to treat various forms of cancer.
  • electronic: The exclusive right of reproduction given to authors includes storing the work in electronic form.
  • different: The main features of different forms of writing are used appropriately, beginning to be adapted to different readers.

Noun used with modifier

  • application: We included an application form for people wishing to join.
  • booking: For your reservation at Westland Hotel London, simply click here to complete our secure online booking form.
  • registration: Any notice to be provided to you shall be addressed to the contact email address provided by you within your registration form.
  • feedback: Feel free to use the feedback form for any comments or suggestions relating to the Towns in Bexley pages.
  • entry: Entry form will be on club web site soon.
  • claim: You can get further details and/or a claim form from Benefits Office.

Preposition: without

permission: Internet Marketing eBooks and Courses... or form without express written permission.