form
1. [ noun ] (linguistics) the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
Synonyms: descriptor signifier word_form
Examples:

"the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"

Related terms: word root citation_form ghost_word singular etymon plural abbreviation acronym linguistics
2. [ noun ] a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
Synonyms: kind sort variety
Examples:

"sculpture is a form of art" "what kinds of desserts are there?"

Related terms: category type style model manner species the_like brand genus genre ilk stripe color antitype art_form description flavor classify
3. [ noun ] a perceptual structure
Synonyms: pattern shape
Examples:

"the composition presents problems for students of musical form" "a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"

Related terms: structure strand gestalt mosaic fractal percept shape
4. [ verb ] create (as an entity)
Synonyms: organize organise
Examples:

"social groups form everywhere" "They formed a company"

Related terms: make draw_up reorganize choose_up regiment syndicate brigade organization administration constitution formation organization
5. [ verb ] to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"
Synonyms: make constitute
Examples:

"The branches made a roof" "This makes a fine introduction"

Related terms: constitute conglobate chelate add constellate constitution
6. [ noun ] any spatial attribute (especially as defined by outline)
Synonyms: shape contour configuration conformation
Examples:

"he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"

Related terms: spatial_property topography convexity lobularity narrowing dullness concavity angularity stratification curvature straightness roundness sharpness crookedness contour straight crooked
7. [ noun ] alternative names for the body of a human being
Synonyms: figure flesh shape frame human_body anatomy build soma bod chassis physique material_body physical_body
Examples:

"Leonardo studied the human body" "he has a strong physique" "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"

Related terms: body person female_body juvenile_body adult_body male_body person homo leg
8. [ verb ] develop into a distinctive entity
Synonyms: take_shape spring take_form
Examples:

"our plans began to take shape"

Related terms: become regenerate bead head formation
9. [ verb ] cause to shape or form
Synonyms: shape
Examples:

"shape a bun" "shape a ball from the dough"

Related terms: change fit flatten square strike crystallize cup round twist tie roll blow draw terrace cone plume tabulate scallop dish fork deform granulate culminate block sliver block dimension individuate encircle ridge shape formation shaper
10. [ verb ] make something, usually for a specific function
Synonyms: shape forge mould work mold
Examples:

"She molded the riceballs carefully" "Form cylinders from the dough" "shape a figure" "Work the metal into a sword"

Related terms: create_from_raw_material carve model beat sculpt mound hill machine roughcast swage puddle reshape sinter cast chip handbuild throw stamp preform preform work constitution formation cast
11. [ noun ] the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance
Synonyms: shape
Examples:

"geometry is the mathematical science of shape"

Related terms: attribute plane line figure column circle flare distorted_shape triangle round_shape angular_shape amorphous_shape natural_shape square connection solid
12. [ verb ] establish or impress firmly in the mind
Synonyms: imprint
Examples:

"We imprint our ideas onto our children"

Related terms: influence imprint
13. [ verb ] give shape to
Examples:

"form the clay into a head"

Related terms: deform change layer bunch turn flake cut_out strickle reticulate brecciate
14. [ noun ] the visual appearance of something or someone
Synonyms: shape cast
Examples:

"the delicate cast of his features"

Related terms: appearance shape
15. [ noun ] (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
Synonyms: phase
Examples:

: "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of the system"

Related terms: state_of_matter dispersing_medium dispersed_particles physical_chemistry
16. [ noun ] (writing) a printed document with spaces in which to write
Examples:

"he filled out his tax form"

Related terms: document questionnaire application_form telegraph_form requisition order_form claim_form tax_form space
17. [ noun ] a particular mode in which something is manifested
Examples:

"his resentment took the form of extreme hostility"

Related terms: manner
18. [ noun ] (writing) an arrangement of the elements in a composition or discourse
Examples:

"the essay was in the form of a dialogue" "he first sketches the plot in outline form"

Related terms: writing_style versification
19. [ noun ] (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups
Synonyms: strain var. variant
Examples:

"a new strain of microorganisms"

Related terms: taxonomic_group species biology
20. [ noun ] (education) a body of students who are taught together
Synonyms: grade class
Examples:

"early morning classes are always sleepy"

Related terms: gathering English_class sixth_form first_grade physics_class Sunday_school_class chemistry_class master_class biology_class
21. [ noun ] an ability to perform well
Examples:

"he was at the top of his form" "the team was off form last night"

Related terms: ability
22. [ noun ] a life-size dummy used to display clothes
Synonyms: manikin mannikin manakin mannequin
Related terms: dummy
23. [ noun ] a mold for setting concrete
Examples:

"they built elaborate forms for pouring the foundation"

Related terms: mold
Similar spelling:   forum
  foram