Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense formats, present participle formatting, past tense, past participle formatted
1. countable noun
The format of something is the way or order in which it is arranged and presented.
I had met with him to explain the format of the programme and what we had in mind. [+ of]
...a large-format book.
Synonyms: arrangement, form, style, make-up More Synonyms of format
2. countable noun
The format of a piece of computer software or a musical recording is the type of equipment on which it is designed to be used or played. For example, possible formats for a musical recording are CD and cassette.
His latest album is available on all formats.
3. verb
To format a computer disk means to run a program so that the disk can be written on.
[computing]
4. verb
To format a piece of computer text or graphics means to arrange the way in which it appears when it is printed or is displayed on a screen.
[computing]
The saved text was often badly formatted with many short lines. [beVERB-ed]
formattinguncountable noun
I need a way to back up my emails and keep the original formatting if possible.
format in British English
(ˈfɔːmæt)
noun
1.
the general appearance of a publication, including type style, paper, binding, etc
2.
an approximate indication of the size of a publication as determined by the number of times the original sheet of paper is folded to make a leaf
See also duodecimo, quarto
3.
style, plan, or arrangement, as of a television programme
4. computing
a.
the defined arrangement of data encoded in a file or for example on magnetic disk or CD-ROM, essential for the correct recording and recovery of data on different devices
b.
the arrangement of text on printed output or a display screen, or a coded description of such an arrangement
verbWord forms: -mats, -matting or -matted(transitive)
5.
to arrange (a book, page, etc) into a specified format
Word origin
C19: via French from German, from Latin liber formātus volume formed
format in American English
(ˈfɔrˌmæt)
noun
1.
the shape, size, binding, typeface, paper, and general makeup or arrangement of a book, magazine, etc.
2.
general arrangement or plan, as of a television program
3.
a specific arrangement in accordance with which computer data is processed, stored, printed, etc.
4.
a particular audio or video recording and playback system, as VHS
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈforˌmatted or ˈforˌmatting
5.
to arrange according to a format
Word origin
Ger + L formatus, pp. of formare: see form
COBUILD Collocations
format
digital format
Examples of 'format' in a sentence
format
It could also be easier to experiment with new formats and to push the successes globally.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The company is testing new formats that play down users' photos.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said:'My personal opinion is they need to find a different format.
The Sun (2017)
What do you love about the short story format?
The Sun (2013)
It is no shame to find other formats for publications that should not be books at all.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
How does the format of this piece work?
Goshgarian, Gary Exploring language (6th edn) (1995)
There are so many different projects and so many different formats and so many different things.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The format of the programme was simple.
John Foot Calcio: A History of Italian Football (2006)
The shortest format of the game has once again been worthy of top billing.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is a very different format and you need to plan for that.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In the shorter format he is an automatic choice who has set the highest standards.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The service would also make the images and information available in mobile format to police officers on the beat.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That's just the way this quiz format works.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But it's really nice when they say they are enjoying the new format.
The Sun (2014)
The only quibble is with the book 's cramped format.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
They look different and have different formats, but they all have the same volume.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The new format does help them but they have also won as many games as England out here.
The Sun (2016)
The programme 's format sees guests choosing eight records they would take with them to a desert island.
The Sun (2006)
We were not looking for a new format; we were seeking ways to enhance our own style and format.
Christianity Today (2000)
It's a good example of the courts embracing changing media formats and new ways that the public obtain information.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
When a computer formats a disk, it splits it into a large number of clusters into which your data are stored.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The format provides an additional choice in the middle of the range between 35mm and the larger formats available from roll film.
Freeman, Michael Photographers Handbook (1993)
But it can access fewer book formats than rivals, including a system that lets you get books free from local libraries.
The Sun (2012)
There are other formats of cricket available to him - not the case for players 50 years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But I like to look forward and to me the Grandstand format had run its course.
The Sun (2007)
Still, let's not dismiss the way the format allows us to spend quality time with some of the less loudly sung names of darts.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
format
British English: format /ˈfɔːmæt/ NOUN
The format of something is the way it is arranged and presented.
I explained the format of the programme to him.
American English: format
Arabic: تَشْكِيل
Brazilian Portuguese: formato
Chinese: 形式
Croatian: format
Czech: formát
Danish: format
Dutch: indeling
European Spanish: formato
Finnish: muoto
French: format
German: Format
Greek: μορφότυπος
Italian: formato
Japanese: 図書形態
Korean: 형식
Norwegian: format
Polish: format
European Portuguese: formato
Romanian: format
Russian: формат
Latin American Spanish: formato
Swedish: format
Thai: รูปแบบ
Turkish: format
Ukrainian: формат
Vietnamese: hình dạng
British English: format /ˈfɔːmæt/ VERB
To format a computer disk means to run a program so that the disk can be written on.
American English: format
Arabic: يُعيدُ تَهِيئَة
Brazilian Portuguese: formatar
Chinese: 格式化
Croatian: formatirati
Czech: formátovat
Danish: formatere
Dutch: formatteren
European Spanish: dar formato
Finnish: muotoilla
French: formater
German: formattieren
Greek: δίνω σχήμα
Italian: formattare
Japanese: 形式を定める
Korean: 포맷하다
Norwegian: formatere
Polish: sformatować
European Portuguese: formatar
Romanian: a formata
Russian: размечать
Latin American Spanish: dar formato
Swedish: formatera
Thai: จัดรูปแบบ
Turkish: formatlamak
Ukrainian: форматувати
Vietnamese: định dạng
Chinese translation of 'format'
format
(ˈfɔːmæt)
n(c)
(= form, style) 形式 (xíngshì) (种(種), zhǒng)
[of software, recording]格式 (géshì) (种(種), zhǒng)
vt
(Comput)[disk]将(將) ... 格式化 (jiāng ... géshìhuà)
(noun)
Definition
the shape, size, and general appearance of a publication
They met to discuss the format of future negotiations.
Synonyms
arrangement
an imaginative flower arrangement
form
the sustained narrative form of the novel
style
Several styles of hat were available.
make-up
the chemical make-up of the atmosphere
look
They've opted for a rustic look in the kitchen.
plan
design
The pictures are based on simple geometric designs.
type
There are various types of the disease.
appearance
He had the appearance of a college student.
construction
Avoid complex verbal constructions.
presentation
Keep the presentation of the dish simple.
layout
He tried to recall the layout of the farmhouse.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appearance
Definition
the way a person or thing looks
He had the appearance of a college student.
Synonyms
look,
face,
form,
air,
figure,
image,
looks,
bearing,
aspect,
manner,
expression,
demeanour,
mien (literary)
in the sense of construction
Definition
the act of constructing or manner in which a thing is constructed
Avoid complex verbal constructions.
Synonyms
composition,
structure,
arrangement
in the sense of design
Definition
the arrangement or features of an artistic or decorative work
The pictures are based on simple geometric designs.
Synonyms
pattern,
form,
figure,
style,
shape,
organization,
arrangement,
construction,
motif,
configuration
Synonyms of 'format'
format
Explore 'format' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of form
Definition
the structure and arrangement of a work of art or piece of writing as distinguished from its content
the sustained narrative form of the novel
Synonyms
structure,
plan,
order,
organization,
arrangement,
construction,
proportion,
format,
framework,
harmony,
symmetry,
orderliness
in the sense of layout
Definition
the arrangement or plan of something, such as a building
He tried to recall the layout of the farmhouse.
Synonyms
arrangement,
design,
draft,
outline,
format,
plan,
formation,
geography
in the sense of look
Definition
style or fashion
They've opted for a rustic look in the kitchen.
Synonyms
appearance,
effect,
bearing,
face,
air,
style,
fashion,
cast,
aspect,
manner,
expression,
impression,
complexion,
guise,
countenance (literary),
semblance,
demeanour,
mien (literary),
l%k
in the sense of make-up
Definition
the arrangement of the parts of something
the chemical make-up of the atmosphere
Synonyms
structure,
organization,
arrangement,
form,
construction,
assembly,
constitution,
format,
formation,
composition,
configuration
in the sense of presentation
Definition
a talk or lecture
Keep the presentation of the dish simple.
Synonyms
appearance,
look,
display,
packaging,
arrangement,
layout
in the sense of style
Definition
a form of appearance, design, or production
Several styles of hat were available.
Synonyms
design,
form,
cut
in the sense of type
Definition
the general characteristics distinguishing a particular group