form

noun

UK /fɔː(r)m/

Word Forms

singular	form
plural	forms

1
countable a type of something
form of:
The car is by far the most popular form of transport.
He developed a rare form of cancer.
Everyone agrees that the kids must receive some form of punishment.
Synonyms and related words
Categories and types
type
category
kind
2
countable/uncountable the particular way in which something appears or exists
The information is also available in electronic form.
in the form of:
You can get the medicine in the form of a nasal spray or as a tablet.
Help arrived in the form of six heavily armed police officers.
take the form of:
The aid might take the form of food or medical supplies.
Neglect of children can take a variety of forms.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
3
countable a shape of someone or something
She stared at the lifeless form on the driveway.
Three forms gradually emerged out of the darkness.
Synonyms and related words
General words for shape
shape
form
formation
4
countable an official document that has spaces where you can put in information
Use the order form to get new office supplies.
fill in/out a form:
Make sure you fill in the application form completely and legibly.
Synonyms and related words
Documents and types of document
annual report
blue book
certificate
5
uncountable the level of someone’s ability at a particular time, especially in a sport
She blamed a foot injury for her recent loss of form.
The band’s new CD marks a welcome return to form (=to a previous high standard).
in/on (good etc) form:
She is hoping to be on top form in time for the Olympics.
Synonyms and related words
Skill, talent and ability
experience
ability
skill
1. 5a
  Britishthe state of someone’s mood and health at a particular time
  in good/bad etc form:
  I saw Sam last night – he was in great form.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for health
  health
  condition
  fitness
6
countable Britisha class at school
He was in my form at school.
She’s now in the sixth form.
Synonyms and related words
Student bodies and groups of students
class
dean’s list
form
7
countable linguisticsone part of a verb or other word that has several different parts
It’s important to learn all the forms of a verb.
nouns like ‘child’ that have irregular plural forms
Synonyms and related words
Linguistic terms relating to word formation and phrase building
affix
affixation
anaphora
8
uncountable the structure of a piece of writing or music or a painting
The form of the novel is complex, with numerous flashbacks.
Synonyms and related words
Styles and methods in art
abstract expressionism
agitprop
aquatint
9
have form
to have a certain pattern of behaviour
Rebecca has form when it comes to imposing food on her guests until they have a food coma.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 25/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

in rare/top etc form

form

noun

US /fɔrm/

Word Forms

singular	form
plural	forms

1
countable a type of something
form of:
The private automobile is by far the most popular form of transportation.
He developed a rare form of cancer.
Everyone agrees that the kids must receive some form of punishment.
Synonyms and related words
Categories and types
type
category
kind
2
countable/uncountable the particular way in which something appears or exists
The information is also available in electronic form.
in the form of:
You can get the medicine in the form of a nasal spray or as a tablet.
Help arrived in the form of six heavily armed police officers.
take the form of:
The aid might take the form of food or medical supplies.
Neglect of children can take a variety of forms.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
3
countable a shape of someone or something
Three forms gradually emerged out of the darkness.
She stared at the lifeless form on the driveway.
Synonyms and related words
General words for shape
shape
form
formation
4
uncountable the level of someone’s ability at a particular time, especially in a sport
She blamed a foot injury for her recent loss of form.
The band’s new CD marks a welcome return to form (=to a previous high standard).
in (good etc.) form:
She is hoping to be in top form in time for the Olympics.
Synonyms and related words
Skill, talent and ability
skill
talent
ability
1. 4a
  Britishthe state of someone’s mood and health at a particular time
  in good/bad etc. form:
  I saw Sam last night – he was in great form.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for health
  health
  condition
  fitness
5
countable an official document that has spaces where you can put in information
Use the order form to get new office supplies.
fill in/out a form:
Make sure you fill in the application form completely and legibly.
Synonyms and related words
Documents and types of document
annual report
blue book
certificate
6
uncountable the structure of a piece of writing or music or a painting
The form of the novel is complex, with numerous flashbacks.
Synonyms and related words
Styles and methods in art
abstract expressionism
agitprop
aquatint
7
countable linguisticsone part of a verb or other word that has several different parts
nouns like “child” that have irregular plural forms
It’s important to learn all the forms of a verb.
Synonyms and related words
Linguistic terms relating to word formation and phrase building
affix
affixation
anaphora
8
countable Britisha class at school
Synonyms and related words
Student bodies and groups of students
class
dean’s list
form
9
have form
to have a certain pattern of behaviour
Rebecca has form when it comes to imposing food on her guests until they have a food coma.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 25/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

in rare/top etc. form

form

verb

UK /fɔː(r)m/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	form
he/she/it	forms
present participle	forming
past tense	formed
past participle	formed

1
intransitive to make something exist or develop
A change in temperature may make moisture form on the windows.
A smile formed on his lips.
A plan began to form in her mind.
Synonyms and related words
To make something start to exist or happen
bring about
trigger
form
1. 1a
  transitive to make something start to exist or develop
  She formed a deep attachment to the child.
  The valley was formed by erosion.
  He has been with the club since it was first formed in 1972.
  form an impression of:
  The interview will give you a chance to form an impression of the company.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make something start to exist or happen
  bring about
  trigger
  form
2
intransitive/transitive to move together to create a particular shape
The boys and girls formed a line behind their teacher.
A dozen or so armed guards formed a ring around the exit.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
shape
reshape
form
1. 2a
  transitive to make something into a particular shape
  form something into something:
  Roll the clay between your hands and form it into a ball.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the shape of something
  shape
  reshape
  form
3
linking verb to be something, or to be the parts that something consists of
Fieldwork forms an important part of the course.
Mountains form a natural barrier that keeps invaders out.
Land ownership formed the basis of their wealth and power.
Synonyms and related words
Linking verbs
appear
be
become
4
transitive to influence the development of something
Her character was largely formed by the loss of her family in the war.
Synonyms and related words
To make something start to exist or happen
bring about
trigger
form
5
transitive linguisticsto make one of the parts of a verb or other word that has several different parts
You normally add ‘-ing’ to form the present participle of English verbs.
Synonyms and related words
Linguistic terms relating to word formation and phrase building
affix
affixation
anaphora

phrasal verbs

form up

form

verb

US /fɔrm/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	form
he/she/it	forms
present participle	forming
past tense	formed
past participle	formed

1
intransitive to make something exist or develop
A change in temperature may make moisture form on the windows.
A smile formed on his lips.
A plan began to form in her mind.
Synonyms and related words
To make something start to exist or happen
bring about
start off
create
1. 1a
  transitive to make something start to exist or develop
  The valley was formed by erosion.
  He has been with the club since it was first formed in 1972.
  She formed a deep attachment to the child.
  form an impression of:
  The interview will give you a chance to form an impression of the company.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make something start to exist or happen
  bring about
  start off
  create
2
intransitive/transitive to move together to create a particular shape
The boys and girls formed a line behind their teacher.
A dozen or so armed guards formed a ring around the exit.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
reshape
open up
shape
1. 2a
  transitive to make something into a particular shape
  form something into something:
  Roll the clay between your hands and form it into a ball.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change the shape of something
  reshape
  open up
  shape
3
linking verb to be something, or to be the parts that something consists of
Fieldwork forms an important part of the course.
Mountains form a natural barrier that keeps invaders out.
Land ownership formed the basis of their wealth and power.
Synonyms and related words
Linking verbs
appear
be
become
4
transitive to influence the development of something
Her character was largely formed by the loss of her family in the war.
Synonyms and related words
To make something start to exist or happen
bring about
start off
create
5
transitive linguisticsto make one of the parts of a verb or other word that has several different parts
You normally add “-ing” to form the present participle of English verbs.
Synonyms and related words
Linguistic terms relating to word formation and phrase building
affix
affixation
anaphora

phrasal verbs

form up

form ​‌‌‌

have form

form ​‌‌‌

have form

form ​‌‌‌

form ​‌‌‌

form

form

form

form