26984 words

form

26 definitions • 43 examples
1
to begin to exist or to make something begin to exist:

Examples:

A crowd formed around the accident.
A solution began to form in her mind.
form an impression I formed the impression (= the way she behaved suggested to me) that she didn't really want to come.
2
to make something into a particular shape:

Examples:

form something into something She formed the clay into a small bowl.
3
to make or be something:

Examples:

The lorries formed a barricade across the road.
Together they would form the next government.
This information formed the basis of the report.
4
If separate things form, they come together to make a whole:

Examples:

The children formed into lines.
5
a paper or set of papers printed with spaces in which answers to questions can be written or information can be recorded in an organized way:

Examples:

entry form Children are being asked to send in their entry forms (= documents used to enter a competition) by next week.
application form You can get an application form for the dog licence on the website.
fill in a form Please fill in the form with black ink.
fill out a form They gave him a long form to fill out.
complete a form When you have completed the form, hand it in at the desk.
6
a type of something:

Examples:

form of Swimming is the best form of exercise.
7
the shape or appearance of something:

Examples:

I could just about make out his sleeping form on the bed.
The moon highlighted the shadowy forms of the hills.
in the form of The lawn was laid out in the form of the figure eight.
8
to gradually be seen or gradually develop:

Examples:

Trees and hedges started to take form as the fog cleared.
9
A competitor's form is their ability to be successful over a period of time:

Examples:

Both horses have shown good form over the last season.
After a bad year, she has regained her form.
10
to be feeling or performing well:

Examples:

Paul was on good form at the wedding and kept everyone entertained.
11
one part of a verb or other word that has a special use or meaning:

Examples:

The continuous form of "stand" is "standing".
"Stood" is the irregular past tense form of "stand".
"Hers" is the possessive form of "her".
"Isn't" is the short form of "is not".
12
in the UK, a class of school children or a group of classes of children of a similar age
13

Examples:

Was that bad form then, leaving so early?
14
a long, thin seat, usually without a back
15
to come together and make a particular order or shape:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] A crowd formed to watch the fire.
[ T ] Please form a single line.
[ T ] The geese flying overhead formed a V-shaped pattern.
16
to begin to have:

Examples:

I formed the opinion that I was not really welcome there any more.
17
to begin something, esp. organizing people or things:

Examples:

We formed a community group to help people who are sick or disabled.
They formed a new publishing company.
18
a type or kind of something, or the particular way in which something exists:

Examples:

I was always more interested in poetry than in other forms of literature.
She has a mild form of the flu and should be OK in a few days.
The medicine comes in the form of a liquid or pills.
19
the shape or appearance of something:

Examples:

The stadium was in the form of a circle.
20
something, usually paper, that has spaces marked where you fill in information:

Examples:

Fill out an application form and we will let you know if a job opens up.
21
the organization, shape, and structure of a written work
22
Form in a work of art or piece of music is the design or arrangement of it that it shares with other works of the same type
23
the way in which someone does something:

Examples:

He was in great form and won the golf tournament by 7 strokes.
24
a document printed with spaces in which to write answers or information:

Examples:

fill in/out a form You will need to fill in form FW 20, available from your Social Security office.
You will be required to sign several forms.
25
to create a company, organization, etc.:

Examples:

form a business/company/firm They joined together to form their own garment company.
form a committee/agency/task force The council President formed the committee when the number of complaints jumped from around 50 per month to nearly 1,200.

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