form 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯrm How to pronounce form (audio)
Definition of formnext
1
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance the wood-carver carved the block of wood into the form of a duck

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2
as in document
a piece of paper with information written or to be written on it I filled out all the forms for applying to the school

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3
as in manner
personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting it's bad form to throw a tantrum on the court just because you lost a tennis match

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4
as in condition
a state of being or fitness after a long season off, the football team is back in good form

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5
as in doll
a three-dimensional representation of the human body used especially for displaying clothes put the dress on the form to finish pinning it together

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6
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules we'll use the second form in our church missals for today's Lenten service

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7
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior displayed good form throughout the formal dinner

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8
as in method
the means or procedure for doing something there are established forms for voting on motions and amendments at meetings

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9
as in physique
the type of body that a person has he has the big-boned form of a linebacker

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10
as in format
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged museumgoers liked the asymmetrical form of the mobile

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form

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to crystallize
to take on a definite form my ideas on the subject are just starting to form

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2
as in to comprise
to be all the substance of this one sentence really forms the basis of your argument

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3
as in to produce
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials formed the pot out of the clay

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4
as in to start
to come into existence the new company formed from two smaller ones

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5
as in to develop
to come to have gradually I don't want you beginning skiers to form any bad habits

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of form
Noun
There would be no deductibles, co-pays or other forms of cost-sharing, except for some brand-name prescription drugs if generics are available. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 That’s starting to change, however, as drugmakers roll out new options that promise similar results in pill form, or longer stretches between doses. — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Prime under the eyes with a tightening gel Film-forming gels can visibly smooth and tighten skin for a few hours, with results kicking in after about five minutes. — Polly Blitzer, Allure, 2 Sep. 2026 The group formed in the 90s and have been an integral part in building the legacy of East Coast hip-hop. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for form
Recent Examples of Synonyms for form
  1. shape
  2. document
  3. manner
  4. condition
  5. doll
  6. ritual
  7. etiquette
  8. method
Noun
  • The result looks less like a blade simply ground into shape and more like a form sculpted directly from solid steel.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The minimalist shape pairs well with jeans, loungewear, and even dresses.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of shape
Noun
  • Instead, detectives say the group used falsified invoices and documents and transferred cash into personal bank accounts.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Court documents have previously suggested the Tates’ online empire brought in millions.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of document
Noun
  • And despite her background, the Norwegian people found much to like about this statuesque blond woman with striking eyes and a ready smile, a down-to-earth manner and an undisguised love for Haakon.
    — Jan M. Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of manner
Noun
  • Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Women would also be screened through a questionnaire, which could then move to treatment for conditions related to hormonal imbalance.
    — Idrees Ali, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of condition
Noun
  • As a child, Madix would put on shows for her pug, Ming, and a doll of Fievel, the mouse from An American Tail.
    — Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The founders of iconic brands such as Ideal, Mattel, Marx, Hasbro, Kenner, Wham-O and Madame Alexander dolls shared roots in Yiddish-speaking Europe, and childhoods as the sons and daughters of immigrants.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of doll
Noun
  • This goes beyond just topical products to include massage tools, wellness rituals and detoxifying treatments.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Shankara advises that worshipping gods with names and stories through devotional rituals and sacred images (murtis) is an acceptable step for some people on the path toward a more philosophical understanding of an all-pervasive ultimate reality.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • The rapper’s all-black outfit was allowed, but his shades violated court etiquette.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In other words, cruise etiquette isn’t about memorizing a list of dos and don’ts.
    — Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of etiquette
Noun
  • And other insects could offer promising methods of search and rescue in the future.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Direct internal heating Stanford researchers overcame this challenge by developing an internal heating method.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of method

Browse Nearby Words

forlornness
form
formal
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Cite this Entry

“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/form. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on form

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about form

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