form

1 of 4

noun

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 female form
c
archaic : beauty
2
: the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter: such as
b
: the component of a thing that determines its kind
3
a
: established method of expression or proceeding : procedure according to rule or rote
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
: manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard
rudeness is simply bad form
c
: manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique
a strong swimmer but weak on form
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
a
: one of the different modes of existence, action, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance : kind
one form of respiratory disorder
a form of art
b
: a distinguishable group of organisms
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
a polynomial form
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(1)
: the past performance of a race horse
(2)
b
: known ability to perform
a singer at the top of her form
c
: condition suitable for performing (as in athletic competition)
back on form

see also take form

form

2 of 4

verb

formed; forming; forms

transitive verb

1
a
: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model
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
: to give form or shape to : fashion, construct
She formed the dough into balls.
3
: to serve to make up or constitute : be an essential or basic element of
Bonds formed the bulk of his estate.
4
: develop, acquire
form a habit
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 noun
formable adjective

form-

3 of 4

combining form

variants or formo-
: formic acid
formate
: in the form or shape of : resembling
filiform
Phrases
form on
: to take up a formation next to

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The skincare staple is found in many different forms and removes the buildup that leads to acne. Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 18 May 2023 In other news, how smart was that of the cast to bring all the food and supplies with them to Tribal Council, knowing that if new-era Survivor form held, they would be sent to start over on a new island? Dalton Ross, EW.com, 18 May 2023 The form of a game of seduction also has something that is really pleasing or comforting to Sasha, because there’s a method. Hazlitt, 17 May 2023 Gymnasts are always looking to add skills and difficulty to their routines, but Mabry’s improvement came mainly from better form. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2023 These are clothes for a summer of luxuriating in the highest form, without losing the brand’s signature wearability. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 May 2023 Some have small intricate-looking flowers, but they're often grown more for their fun and unusual forms. Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 17 May 2023 In its finished form, The New Boy is set in a remote mission for Aboriginal children that is run by a renegade nun, Sister Eileen (Cate Blanchett). Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2023 Alice Chéveres has conserved Taíno techniques in their purest form. Javier E. Piñero, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2023
Verb
Men's healthMen's health Lettermark logo Keith Nelson Keith Nelson is a writer by fate and journalist by passion, who has connected dots to form the bigger picture for Men’s Health, Vibe Magazine, LEVEL MAG, REVOLT TV, Complex, Grammys.com, Red Bull, Okayplayer, and Mic, to name a few. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 18 May 2023 The exception is basements that get below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, since the 50-pint Frigidaire lacks a frost control sensor, a feature found on other dehumidifiers that automatically shuts the unit off whenever ice crystals starts to form on its coils. Dan Diclerico, goodhousekeeping.com, 18 May 2023 The report comes as scientists are tracking a developing El Nino weather pattern that threatens to cause temperatures to spike and big storms to form in the coming months. Evan Halper, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 In what could define live entertainment history, 15 months after attempting to unionize, dancers at a Los Angeles gentlemen's club are one step closer to becoming the first group of strippers to form a union in America. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023 Another type of hPSCs showed better results and was able to form different types of cells in pig embryos after implantation. Study Summaries, Scientific American, 17 May 2023 Segel plays a therapist who, after the death of his wife, begins to form personal relationships with his patients, no longer willing to just sit back and listen. Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023 Dancers at a Los Angeles topless bar are expected to form the only unionized group of strippers in the U.S. later this week, organizers said Tuesday. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 16 May 2023 Gould had argued that this portion of Heller amounted to dicta, a legal term for nonbinding commentary in a judicial opinion that doesn’t form part of the actual ruling. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 16 May 2023 See More

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of form was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near form

Cite this Entry

“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/form. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

form

1 of 2 noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on form

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!