form

1 of 4

noun

ˈfȯrm 

plural forms

1

a

: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material

the building's massive form

b

: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face : figure

the human form

c

: something that can be seen only as a shape or outline

forms visible in the fog

d

archaic : beauty

2

a

: one of the different modes of existence, action, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance : kind

medicine in pill or liquid form

wealth in the form of stocks

a rare form of the disease

forms of antisocial behavior

an art form

see also take form

b

: a distinguishable group of organisms

c

: linguistic form

d

: one of the different aspects a word may take as a result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation

verbal forms

e

: a mathematical expression of a particular type

a bilinear form

3

a

: established method of expression or proceeding : procedure according to rule or rote

The indictment contained defects of form, not substance.

also : a standard or expectation based on past experience : precedent

True to form, the champions won again.

b

: a prescribed and set order of words : formula

the form of the marriage service

4

: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information

tax forms

5

a(1)

: conduct regulated by extraneous (see extraneous sense 1) controls (as of custom or etiquette) : ceremony

(2)

: show without substance

b

somewhat old-fashioned : manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard

Rudeness is simply bad form.

c(1)

: manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique

was a strong swimmer but weak on form

(2)

: condition for performing

an athlete in top form

(3)

: relative level of performance

was in good form at the party, telling jokes and stories

He was playing poorly, but is now back on form. [=playing well again]

6

a

: the resting place or nest of a hare

b

: a long seat : bench

7

a

: a supporting frame model of the human figure or part (such as the torso) of the human figure usually used for displaying apparel

b

: a proportioned and often adjustable model for fitting clothes

c

: a mold in which concrete is placed to set

8

: the printing type or other matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing

9

philosophy : the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter: such as

a

: idea sense 5a

b

: the component of a thing that determines its kind

10

a(1)

: orderly method of arrangement (as in the presentation of ideas) : manner of coordinating elements (as of an artistic production or course of reasoning)

(2)

: a particular kind or instance of such arrangement

The sonnet is a poetical form.

b

: pattern, schema

arguments of the same logical form

c

: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art compare content sense 2c

d

: a visible and measurable unit defined by a contour : a bounded surface or volume

11

: a grade in a British school or in some American private schools

12

a

: the past performance of a race horse

b

: racing form

see also take form

form

2 of 4

verb

formed; forming; forms

transitive verb

1

a

: to give a form or shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model

formed a statue out of marble

form the dough into a ball

a state formed along republican lines

b

: to arrange themselves in

The dancers formed a line.

c

: to model by instruction and discipline

a mind formed by classical education

2

a

: to give form or shape to : fashion, construct

She formed the dough into balls.

b

: to bring into existence : make, create

form a plan

form a government/company/coalition/partnership

3

: to serve to make up or constitute : be an essential or basic element of

Bonds formed the bulk of his estate.

These principles form the essence of our philosophy.

4

: develop, acquire

form a habit

form a relationship

5

: to arrange in order : draw up

The battalion was formed into squares for all-around defense.

6

a

: to assume an inflection so as to produce (a form, such as a tense)

forms the past in -ed

b

: to combine to make (a compound word)

"motor" and "cycle" form "motorcycle"

intransitive verb

1

: to become formed or shaped

A clot was forming over the cut.

2

: to take form : come into existence : arise

Storm clouds were forming over the hills.

3

: to take on a definite form, shape, or arrangement

The platoon formed in columns.

formability

ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

formable

ˈfȯr-mə-bəl 

adjective

form-

3 of 4

combining form

variants or formo-

: formic acid

formate

-form

4 of 4

adjective combining form

: in the form or shape of : resembling

filiform

Phrases

form on

: to take up a formation next to

Synonyms of form

Noun

• shape

Verb

• crystallize
• shape (up)
• connect
• solidify
• combine
• join
• cohere

Examples of form in a Sentence

Noun

Coal is a form of carbon.

a rare form of cancer

a popular form of entertainment

an ancient form of music

the written form of the language

a style of architecture that emphasizes form over function

The shadowy forms of several people were visible through the smoke.

Verb

The friendship that they formed in school lasted a lifetime.

Her early experiences played an important role in forming her personality.

His ideas were not yet fully formed.

The drug can help prevent blood clots from forming.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

A plan was gradually forming in my mind.

A plan was gradually forming itself in my mind.

An angry crowd was forming in the streets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Yet amidst this external focus on varied lyric forms, the drive in this collection feels narrative, the stories history doubling and echoing myth and history. —Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025

Air Mail’s fate shows that even the masters of the old form faced major headwinds when trying to navigate the new media landscape. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Verb

Those that bloom on old wood have already formed their buds for next season by the time November rolls around. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025

This side of the breakwater was lined with tide pools formed from ECOncrete, a composite cement that mimics natural rock formations. —Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English forme, from Anglo-French furme, forme, from Latin forma form, beauty

Combining form

formic

Adjective combining form

French & Latin; French -forme, from Latin -formis, from forma

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing form

• art form
• as a matter of form
• at the top of one's form
• bad/poor form
• by-form
• canonical form
• claim form
• combining form
• form class
• form-critical
• form criticism
• form genus
• form letter
• form on
• form/term of address
• form word
• free-form
• good form
• in any way, shape, or form
• In no way shape or form
• L-form
• life-form
• linguistic form
• long-form
• off form
• order form
• quadratic form
• racing form
• re-form
• reverted to (is previous) form
• sixth form
• sixth form college
• slip form
• slope-intercept form
• sonata form
• speech form
• take form
• True to form

Rhymes for form

• corm
• dorm
• form
• forme
• norm
• storm
• swarm
• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm

Kids Definition

form

1 of 2 noun

ˈfȯ(ə)rm 

1

a

: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material

b

: a body (as of a person) especially in its outward appearance or as distinguished from the face

2

a

: an established manner of doing or saying something

a form of worship

b

: a standard or expectation based on past experience

true to form, the champions won again

3

: a document with blank spaces for inserting information

a tax form

4

a

: conduct determined by custom : ceremony, convention

also : display without meaning

the usual forms upon being introduced

b

: manner of behaving according to recognized standards

it's bad form not to wait for your turn

5

: a long seat : bench

6

a

: a model of the human figure used for displaying clothes

b

: a mold in which concrete is placed to set

7

: one of the different varieties of a particular thing or substance

coal is a form of carbon

8

: any of the different pronunciations or spellings a word may take in inflection or compounding

9

: a special way of stating a mathematical expression

the number 2.5 can be written in fractional form as ⁵⁄₂

10

a

: orderly method of arrangement

also : a kind or instance of such arrangement

painting is an art form

b

: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art

11

: a surface or space enclosed by mathematical boundaries

12

: a grade in a British secondary school or in some American private schools

13

a

: ability as shown by past performance

b

: condition for performing

in top form

form

2 of 2 verb

1

: to give form or shape to : fashion, make

form the letter A

2

: instruct sense 1, train

education forms the mind

3

: make up sense 2, constitute

a hat formed of straw

4

: develop sense 5, acquire

form a habit

5

: to arrange in order

form a line

6

: to take form : arise

fog forms in the valleys

7

: to take a definite form, shape, or arrangement

the customers formed in lines

former noun

Medical Definition

form

1 of 2 noun

ˈfȯ(ə)rm 

1

a

: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material

b

: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face

2

: a distinguishable group of organisms

—used especially to avoid taxonomic implications

form

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model

intransitive verb

: to become formed or shaped

a clot formed over the cut

Legal Definition

form

noun

1

: the structure of something (as a document) as distinguished from its matter

a defect in form, not substance

2

: established procedure according to rule or practice see also form of action

3

: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information

tax forms