form

A document with spaces where you write the information someone needs.

• Please fill in this form.
• Have you signed the application form?
• You can download the forms from our website.

Similar words: formular

Common phrases: application form, registration form, complete a form

The shape or visible structure of someone or something.

• The cloud had a strange form.
• The artist studied the human form.
• Dark forms appeared through the fog.

Similar words: shape, outline

Common phrases: human form, curved form, physical form

The way something is organized or put together.

• Democracy is a form of government.
• The club adopted a different form of organization.
• These societies had complex forms of political rule.

How to use it: form of something (They chose a new form of government.)

Similar words: system, structure

Common phrases: form of government, form of organization, democratic form

An object or frame used to give another material a particular shape.

• Pour the concrete into the form.
• They removed the forms after the walls hardened.
• This wooden form gives the wet material its shape.

Similar words: mold, mould

Common phrases: wooden form, concrete form, casting form

An outward action or ceremony that follows custom but has little real meaning.

• The signature was a mere form.
• Their approval was only a matter of form.
• He valued form more than substance.

Similar words: formality

Common phrases: mere form, matter of form, empty form

To bring people or things together to create something.

• Let us form a team.
• The parties formed a new government.
• Several local clubs have formed an alliance.

Similar words: create, establish, set up

Opposites: dissolve, disband

Common phrases: form a team, form a government, form an alliance

To give something a particular shape or structure.

• Form the clay into a bowl.
• She formed the dough into small rolls.
• Can you form a circle with this wire?

How to use it: form something into something (Form the dough into small balls.)

Similar words: shape, mold, mould

Common phrases: form a ball, form a circle, form something into

To appear or begin to exist, often gradually.

• Clouds form over the mountains.
• A thin layer of ice formed overnight.
• Why do bubbles form on the surface?

Similar words: appear, develop

Opposites: disappear

Common phrases: clouds form, watch ice form, begin to form