noun

1. the shape, outline, or configuration of anything; structure as apart from color, material, etc.
2. 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
5. 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
12. 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