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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Louise Watley Library will host a break from the heat in the form of a relaxing coloring program geared toward all ages several times throughout the month. — Elizabeth Green, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 Its compact form factor is intended to allow the same computing platform to be deployed across different unmanned vehicles without requiring major hardware changes. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
Verb
The contracts form part of the Space Force’s broader effort to modernize national security launch services by working with commercial launch providers capable of delivering critical missions on accelerated timelines. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026 Lift your hips toward the ceiling, forming an upside down V shape with your body. — Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 29 July 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
  • An unforeseen opportunity Loftin entered spring training in great shape.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The Hudson Satchel from Quince is nearly identical to Lawrence’s—right down to the shape of the side buckles—but priced at under $200—which is far less expensive than the star’s likely designer style.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2026
Definition of shape
Noun
  • The suspect spent time in the hospital and was ordered to report to the Community Supervisions and Corrections Department upon his release, according to court documents.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • Charging documents indicate that Abarca had a physical altercation with his ex-wife during the incident, and missing persons reports were briefly filed for both Abarca and the couple’s toddler son in the following days.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Definition of document
Noun
  • Ho testified her cause of death was multiple penetrating injuries and the manner was homicide.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 July 2026
  • The feeding causes a deepening of the wound, damage to the tissue and sometimes death if not detected in a timely manner.
    — Sarah Tomlinson, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
Definition of manner
Noun
  • The girl had been diagnosed with a rare gene defect that produces a neurodevelopmental condition known as Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, Science reported.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The medical professional also checked the boxes saying Grayson would be incapacitated within six months and his condition was unlikely to improve.
    — Jerry Nowicki, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of condition
Noun
  • Even more strikingly, as noted over the weekend by The Wall Street Journal‘s Natasha Khan, the surge in Magic cards is exactly inversely proportional to an equal plunge in doll sales.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • La Palomilla in Mexico City gives guests traditional worry dolls as part of the bedtime routine.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of doll
Noun
  • The uninitiated do not understand that the ritual is itself the gain.
    — Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2026
  • Each morning before Grays drops her now 2-year-old daughter off at daycare, the two share a ritual of positive affirmations.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of ritual
Noun
  • The etiquette of posting on social media can be tricky to navigate—especially for new parents.
    — Parents, Parents, 25 July 2026
  • Asked whether his first dates — sorry, podcast editions — should ideally end with a kiss of sorts gets Glassman to his stand-up act, where talk of dating etiquette and rules fill his comedic quiver.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
Definition of etiquette
Noun
  • Another method of maintaining cybersecurity is a bit more rigid.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Most real-world cybercrime still relies on easier and cheaper methods, such as exploiting software vulnerabilities, stealing credentials, phishing, malware and ransomware.
    — Chetan Jaiswal, The Conversation, 30 July 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 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on form

Nglish: Translation of form for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about form

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