form

noun

• 1the visible shape or configuration of something:the form, color, and texture of the tree
• arrangement of parts; shape:the entities underlying physical form
• the body or shape of a person or thing:his eyes scanned her slender form
• arrangement and style in literary or musical composition:these videos are a triumph of form over content
• Philosophy the essential nature of a species or thing, especially (in Plato’s thought) regarded as an abstract ideal that real things imitate or participate in.

• 2a mold, frame, or block in or on which something is shaped.
• a temporary structure for holding fresh concrete in shape while it sets.

• 3a particular way in which a thing exists or appears; a manifestation:her obsession has taken the form of compulsive exercise
• any of the ways in which a word may be spelled, pronounced, or inflected:an adjectival rather than adverbial form
• the structure of a word, phrase, sentence, or discourse:every distinction in meaning is associated with a distinction in form

• 4a type or variety of something:sponsorship is a form of advertising
• an artistic or literary genre.
• Botany a taxonomic category that ranks below variety, which contains organisms differing from the typical kind in some trivial, frequently impermanent, character, e.g., a color variant. Compare with subspecies and variety.

• 5the customary or correct method or procedure; what is usually done:an excessive concern for legal form and precedent
• a set order of words; a formula.
• a formality or item of mere ceremony:the outward forms of religion

• 6a printed document with blank spaces for information to be inserted:an application form

• 7chiefly British a class or year in a school, usually given a specifying number:the fifth form

• 8the state of an athlete or sports team with regard to their current standard of performance:illness has affected his form they’ve been in good form this season
• details of previous performances by a racehorse or greyhound:an interested bystander studying the form

• 9British a long bench without a back.

• 10 Printing, chiefly USvariant spelling of forme.

• 11chiefly British a hare’s lair.

verb

• 1bring together parts or combine to create (something):the company was formed in 1982
• (form people/things into) organize people or things into (a group or body):peasants and miners were formed into a militia
• go to make up or constitute:the precepts that form the basis of the book
• [no object] gradually appear or develop:a thick mist was forming all around
• conceive (an idea or plan) in one’s mind.
• enter into or contract (a relationship):the women would form supportive friendships
• articulate (a word, speech sound, or other linguistic unit).
• construct (a new word) by derivation or inflection.

• 2make or fashion into a certain shape or form:form the dough into balls
• [no object] (form into) be made or fashioned into a certain shape or form:his strong features formed into a smile of pleasure
• (be formed) have a specified shape:her body was slight and flawlessly formed
• shape or develop by training or discipline.
• influence or shape (something abstract):the role of the news media in forming public opinion