formless

adjective

form·​less ˈfȯrm-ləs How to pronounce formless (audio)
1
: having no regular form or shape
2
: lacking order or arrangement
3
: having no physical existence
formlessly adverb
formlessness noun

Examples of formless in a Sentence

a formless mass of clay that the potter transformed into an attractive bowl from this formless void the universe was supposed to have been created
Recent Examples on the Web Surely the habit, in its formless bulk, could accommodate one. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Novelty stores sold Belichick costumes for Halloween, complete with formless sweatpants and a drab ski cap. Bill Pennington, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2024 These were more indiscrete: vast and seemingly formless, like massive cow pies turned to stone and then broken by a nasty fall. Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Those with a preference for something more contemplatively formless will find the available structuring to be obtrusive, with the moments of over-explaining and narrativizing rendering the snapshots almost confusing. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2023 And Vesey and his men’s refusal to fully disclose their plot, confess or atone for the sin of staging a rebellion frustrated enslavers’ desire to shape their deaths into usable propaganda — leaving only the fear of a formless secret society that could, at any moment, strike again. Anna Merlan, Washington Post, 13 July 2023 In it, the Earth is described as being dark, empty, and formless. Colby Martin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2023 The latter track is a typically psychedelic transmission from another universe with a pleasantly lilting vocal melody and formless chords made of ethereal synths. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2023 Riker wisely resists easy epiphanies that might give structure to his formless narrative. Nathan Goldman, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of formless was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near formless

Cite this Entry

“Formless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formless. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

formless

adjective
form·​less ˈfȯrm-ləs How to pronounce formless (audio)
: having no regular form or shape
formlessly adverb
formlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on formless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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