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Form Definition & Meaning

form
noun
  1. the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"
  2. a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art"; "what kinds of desserts are there?"
  3. a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems for students of musical form"; "a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"
  4. any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline); "he could barely make out their shapes"
  5. alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
  6. the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance; "geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
  7. the visual appearance of something or someone; "the delicate cast of his features"
  8. a printed document with spaces in which to write; "he filled out his tax form"
  9. (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of microorganisms"
  10. an arrangement of the elements in a composition or discourse; "the essay was in the form of a dialogue"; "he first sketches the plot in outline form"
  11. a particular mode in which something is manifested; "his resentment took the form of extreme hostility"
  12. (physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system; matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary; "the reaction occurs in the liquid phase of the system"
  13. a body of students who are taught together; "early morning classes are always sleepy"
  14. an ability to perform well; "he was at the top of his form"; "the team was off form last night"
  15. a life-size dummy used to display clothes
  16. a mold for setting concrete; "they built elaborate forms for pouring the foundation"
verb
  1. create (as an entity); "social groups form everywhere"; "They formed a company"
  2. to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"; "The branches made a roof"; "This makes a fine introduction"
  3. develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take shape"
  4. give shape or form to; "shape the dough"; "form the young child's character"
  5. make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded the rice balls carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough"; "shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword"
  6. establish or impress firmly in the mind; "We imprint our ideas onto our children"
  7. assume a form or shape; "the water formed little beads"

"Form" in song lyrics

See how form is used in real songs:

  • "I'm ripping stakes up in any way shape or form"
    7L & Esoteric — Verbal Assault
  • "not lukewarm you don't got no form"
    Aceyalone — Keep it True
  • "I sold the gold but never sold the form"
    Aceyalone — In Stereo

Usage tips for "form"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "form" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for form to find words that pair well.

Use "form" in a verse

Now that you know what "form" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does form mean?
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached" a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality; "sculpture is a form of art"; "what kinds of desserts are there?" a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems for students of musical form
What part of speech is form?
Form is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does form have?
Form has 23 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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