form

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The outer shape or arrangement of something, as distinct from what it is made of.

   Grammar: Often with in: in the form of a circle.

   Patterns

   • in the form of something
   • take the form of something

   The sculpture took the form of a giant bird.

   Water can exist in the form of ice, liquid, or steam.

   She made out a dark form in the doorway.

2. 2nouncountable

   An official paper or web page with spaces where you enter details.

   Grammar: Countable: fill in a form, fill out a form.

   Patterns

   • fill in a form
   • fill out a form

   Please fill in this form and sign at the bottom.

   I submitted the application form online.

   The form asks for your name and address.

3. 3nouncountable

   A particular type or version of something.

   Grammar: Countable, often followed by of: a form of art.

   Patterns

   • a form of something

   Walking is a gentle form of exercise.

   Jazz is a form of music that began in New Orleans.

   Cash is no longer the main form of payment.

4. 4noununcountablesport

   A person's level of fitness or performance at a particular time.

   Grammar: Uncountable, often with in or on: in good form.

   Patterns

   • in good form
   • on form

   The striker is in excellent form this season.

   He was out of form and lost early.

   The champion returned to top form.

5. 5verbtransitive or intransitive

   To make something take shape, or to come into being.

   Grammar: Takes an object, or stands alone when something forms naturally.

   Patterns

   • form something into something
   • form a line

   Children formed a line at the door.

   Ice formed on the lake overnight.

   They formed a club for amateur astronomers.

Word forms

Common combinations

application form

Send in your application form by Friday.

fill out a form

Customers must fill out a form.

in the form of

The reward came in the form of a certificate.

a form of

Laughter is a form of medicine.

in good form

The team was in good form before the final.

form a queue

People began to form a queue outside.

Synonyms and how they differ

shape

Shape refers to the outline, while form can include the structure and the kind.

type

Type is more general and neutral, while form is often used for a variation of the same thing.

document

Document is any official paper, whereas a form is one with blanks to fill in.

fitness

Fitness describes physical condition in general, whereas form is performance at the moment.

Word family

formal adjective

following accepted rules or serious style

formation noun

the act or result of forming

format noun

the way something is arranged or presented

formless adjective

without a clear shape

reform verb

to improve by changing

Commonly confused: form or from? form or format?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “form”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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