formverb
uk/fɔːm/us/fɔːrm/B2 [ I or T ] to begin to exist or to make something begin to exist:
[ T ] to make something into a particular shape:
B1 [ L only + noun ] to make or be something:
[ I ] formal If separate things form, they come together to make a whole:
More examples
- Research forms the predominant part of my job.
- By forming a coalition, the rebels and the opposition parties defeated the government.
- The prisoners formed a line against the wall.
- A long queue had formed, snaking its way downstairs and out into the street.
- A thick sheet of ice had formed over the water.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Creating and producing
- bear fruit idiom
- bring
- bring sth out
- churn sth out
- cobble
- craft
- mass-produce
- on the go idiom
- overproduce
- patch sth together
- phase
- pump
- raise
- rush
- throw
- turn sth in
- turn sth out
- uncreative
- unleash
- unproductive
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formnoun
uk/fɔːm/us/fɔːrm/form noun (DOCUMENT)
A2 [ C ] a paper or set of papers printed with spaces in which answers to questions can be written or information can be recorded in an organized way:
More examples
- Have you completed your application form yet?
- I had to fill in this really complicated form.
- On his form he lists his interests as cycling, the cinema and cooking.
- Please write your credit card number on this form.
- Take the forms into your local branch office.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Publishing: paper & stationery
- A3
- A5
- acid-free
- assembler
- ballpoint pen
- grammage
- graph paper
- headed notepaper
- highlighter
- jotter
- keypad
- pencil
- qwerty
- ream
- rice paper
- rough paper
- scrap paper
- slate
- tissue
- watermark
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form noun (TYPE)
B2 [ C ] a type of something:
More examples
- Aerobics is one of the most stimulating forms of exercise.
- Body language is a potent form of non-verbal communication.
- Emma's only form of recreation seems to be shopping.
- Bicycles are a cheap and efficient form of transport.
- Simple forms of life have only one cell.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Categories and varieties
- animal
- brand
- category
- classification
- food group
- genre
- hue
- ilk
- incarnation
- kind
- matter
- model
- mould
- order
- style
- take
- type
- typology
- variety
- version
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form noun (SHAPE)
C1 [ C ] the shape or appearance of something:
to gradually be seen or gradually develop:
More examples
- She looked at Timothy's recumbent form beside her.
- The song achieved a perfect unity between form and content.
- The sculpture was inspired by natural forms.
- He could see the form of a vehicle approaching in the distance.
- The chairs were arranged in the form of circle.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Patterns and shapes
- amorphous
- arabesque
- argyle
- bar
- cake
- contour
- geometry
- marbled
- misshapen
- motif
- mottled
- paisley
- silhouette
- spotted
- streak
- stripe
- striped
- stripy
- styloid
- take shape idiom
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form noun (ABILITY)
[ U ] A competitor's form is their ability to be successful over a period of time:
to be feeling or performing well:
More examples
- After the humiliation of last week's defeat, the Mets were back on form.
- She's currently experiencing a dip in form.
- The team are in unbeatable form.
- Ashia Hansen rediscovered her best form with a morale-boosting win in the triple jump.
- He has been struggling to regain his form after a series of defeats.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Skill, talent and ability
- a magic touch idiom
- ability
- accomplishment
- accuracy
- acumen
- bandwidth
- capability
- dash
- ear
- effortless
- expertise
- facility
- faculty
- finesse
- métier
- nose
- polish
- proficient
- prowess
- pyrotechnics
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form noun (GRAMMAR)
B1 [ C ] specialized language one part of a verb or other word that has a special use or meaning:
More examples
- the genitive form of a noun
- the imperative form of the verb
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: verb forms, tenses & types of verbs
- accusative
- arose
- art
- aspect
- began
- bent
- ditransitive
- linking verb
- main verb
- passivize
- past participle
- predicate
- progressive
- the future perfect
- the past continuous
- the pluperfect
- the present simple
- the third person
- transitive
- wast
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form noun (SCHOOL GROUP)
B1 [ C ] in the UK, a class of school children or a group of classes of children of a similar age
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Students & pupils
- -grader
- alumna
- alumnus
- attrition
- batchmate
- boarder
- entrant
- frosh
- graduate
- houseman
- infant
- internship
- learner
- pupil
- schoolchild
- schoolgirl
- schoolmate
- sixth-former
- sophomore
- theologian
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form noun (BEHAVIOUR)
rude behaviour:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Rude and cheeky
- backchat
- cheeky
- chutzpah
- cocksure
- cocky
- fruity
- gobby
- impertinent
- liberty
- lip
- lippy
- mouthy
- neanderthal
- offensive
- personally
- presumptuous
- sass
- sick
- smart mouth
- unpleasant
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form noun (SEAT)
[ C ] old-fashioned a long, thin seat, usually without a back
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Chairs & seats
- -seater
- armchair
- armrest
- banquette
- bar stool
- beach chair
- beanbag
- booster seat
- easy chair
- footstool
- front seat
- high chair
- living room suite
- perch
- rocker
- rocking chair
- sag bag
- seating
- stall
- stool
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