form  

Thesaurus for form

• noun
  • synonyms
    • word form, signifier, descriptor, kind, sort, variety, shape, pattern, configuration, contour, conformation, human body, physical body, material body, soma, build, figure, physique, anatomy, bod, chassis, frame, flesh, cast, variant, strain, var., phase, class, grade, mannequin, manikin, mannikin, manakin, ability, appearance, assemblage, attribute, body, category, document, dummy, fashion, gathering, genre, literary genre, manner, mode, mold, mould, organic structure, papers, physical structure, spatial property, spatiality, state, state of matter, structure, style, taxon, taxonomic category, taxonomic group, visual aspect, way, word, writing style, written document  
• verb
  • synonyms
    • organize, organise, constitute, make, take form, take shape, spring, shape, work, mold, mould, forge, imprint, act upon, alter, be, become, change, comprise, create, create from raw material, create from raw stuff, influence, make up, modify, represent  

Pronunciation of form: F AO1 R M (fɔrm)

Number of syllables of form: 1

Definition of form

• (n): the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"  
• (n): a mold for setting concrete; "they built elaborate forms for pouring the foundation"  
• (n): a life-size dummy used to display clothes  
• (n): the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate cast of his features"  
• (n): a particular mode in which something is manifested; "his resentment took the form of extreme hostility"  
• (n): any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline); "he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"  
• (n): an ability to perform well; "he was at the top of his form"; "the team was off form last night"  
• (n): alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"  
• (n): a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art"; "what kinds of desserts are there?"  
• (n): a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems for students of musical form"; "a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"  
• (n): the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"  
• (n): a printed document with spaces in which to write; "he filled out his tax form"  
• (n): an arrangement of the elements in a composition or discourse; "the essay was in the form of a dialogue"; "he first sketches the plot in outline form"  
• (n): (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of microorganisms"  
• (n): a body of students who are taught together; "early morning classes are always sleepy"  
• (n): (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system; matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary; "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of the system"  
• (v): give a shape or form to; "shape the dough"  
• (v): give shape to; "form the clay into a head"  
• (v): make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded the riceballs carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough"; "shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword"  
• (v): establish or impress firmly in the mind; "We imprint our ideas onto our children"  
• (v): create (as an entity); "social groups form everywhere"; "They formed a company"  
• (v): to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This makes a fine introduction"  
• (v): develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take shape"  

Examples of form

• The hydrochloride form is more irritating than the neutral form.  
• The ferrous form is soluble, whereas the ferric form is not.  
• It was always a stopover form to the mecha form.  
• The red family of circles in the figure form a pencil of this type.  
• The homozygous form of the mutation is the least severe form.  
• The definite form of the participle is identical to the plural form.  
• This is a special form of disjunctive normal form.  
• A republic is the proper title of the fourth type of governmental form.  
• The first is a predisposition in the form of a type of optic disc shape.  
• The most common form of fee comes in the form of royalties.