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- Dictionaryform/fôrm/
noun
- 1. the visible shape or configuration of something: "the form, color, and texture of the tree" Similar shapeconfigurationformationconformationstructureconstructionarrangementdispositionappearanceoutward form/appearanceexteriorcontourslinesoutlinesilhouetteprofiledesignformatcutpatternmold
- ▪ arrangement of parts; shape: "the entities underlying physical form"
- ▪ the body or shape of a person or animal: "she admired his muscular form" Similar bodyshapefiguresilhouetteproportionsstaturebuildframephysiqueanatomyinformal:vital statisticschassisbod
- ▪ arrangement and style in literary or musical composition: "these videos are a triumph of form over content" Similar structurearrangementconstructionframeworkformatlayoutdesignorganizationsystemplanningorderorderlinesssymmetryproportionOpposite content
- 2. a particular way in which a thing exists or appears; a manifestation: "her obsession has taken the form of compulsive exercise" Similar manifestationappearanceembodimentincarnationsemblanceshapeguisecharacterdescriptionexpression
- ▪ any of the ways in which a word may be spelled, pronounced, or inflected: "an adjectival rather than adverbial 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 color variant.
- 4. the customary or correct method or procedure; what is usually done: "an excessive concern for legal form and precedent" Similar etiquettesocial practicecustomusageusehabitwontprotocolprocedurerulesconventiontraditionfashionstyleroutineritualpatternregimenpolicymethodsystemwayruleformulaset formulamodus operandiformal:praxis
- ▪ a formality or item of mere ceremony: "the outward forms of religion"
- ▪ a set order of words; a formula: "a form of words"
- 5. a mold, 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 an athlete or sports team with regard to their current standard of performance: "illness has affected his form" Similar fitnessphysical fitnessconditionfettleshapetrimhealthstate of healthinformal:nick
- ▪ details of previous performances by a racehorse or greyhound: "an interested bystander studying the form"
- 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
- ▪ organize people or things into (a group or body): "peasants and miners were formed into a militia"
- ▪ go to make up or constitute: "the precepts that 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 or plan) in one's mind: "to form a judgement he seeks further information" Similar formulatedeviseconceivework outthink uppreparemake readyget readywork uplaydraw upput togetherproducefashionconcoctconstructframeforgehatchdeveloporganizeinformal:dream up
- ▪ enter into or contract (a relationship): "the women would form supportive friendships"
- ▪ articulate (a word, speech sound, or other linguistic unit).
- ▪ construct (a new word) by derivation or inflection.
- 2. make or fashion into a certain shape or form: "form the dough into balls" Similar makefashionshapemodelmoldforgefoundcastsculpthewcarveconstructbuildmanufacturefabricateassembleput togethercreateproduceconcoctdevisecontriveframe
- ▪ have a specified shape: "her body was slight and flawlessly formed"
- ▪ be made or fashioned into a certain shape or form: "his strong features formed into a smile of pleasure"
- ▪ shape or develop by training or discipline.
- ▪ influence or shape (something abstract): "the role of the news media in forming public opinion" Similar developmoldshapetrainteachinstructeducateschooltutorcoachgroomdrilldisciplineprimeprepareguidedirectinformverseenlighteninculcateindoctrinateedifycultivateimprovebetterupliftelevate
Word Origin Middle English: from Old French forme (noun), fo(u)rmer (verb, from Latin formare ‘to form’), both based on Latin forma ‘a mold or form’.
Derivatives
- 1. formability noun
- 2. formable adjective
Scrabble Points: 9
F
4O
1R
1M
3
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