form

1 noun

1 TYPE (C) a type of something, that exists in many different types

(+ of): Trains are a very cost-effective form of transport. | She dislikes any form of exercise.

2 WAY STH IS/APPEARS (C) the way in which something exists, is presented, or appears: We oppose racism in all its forms. | take a form/take the form of (=happen or exist in a particular way or as a particular type): The assignment can take any form you like - a written essay, a piece of recorded music, or whatever.

3 SHAPE (C) a shape, especially one that you cannot see very clearly

(+ of): the shadowy forms of the divers

4 DOCUMENT (C) an official document with spaces where you have to answer questions and provide information: I was interested in the job and sent off for an application form. | fill in/out a form (=write the answers to the questions on a form): Fill in the form and send it back with your cheque.

5 in the form of

a) having the shape of: The main staircase was in the form of a big `S'.

b) existing in a particular form: People are bombarded with information in the form of magazines and TV advertising.

6 ART/LITERATURE (U) the structure of a work of art or piece of writing, rather than the ideas it expresses, events it describes etc: Writers like Henry James place a lot of emphasis on form as well as content.

7 LEVEL OR PERFORMANCE (U)

a) how well a sports person, team or race horse is performing, or has performed recently: Judging by her most recent form, she should easily win a medal at the Olympics.

b) on present/current/past etc form based on how well a person, team, organization etc is performing or achieving their aims: On current form, the Democrats could lose control of the Senate in the mid-term elections.

8 SCHOOL (C) BrE a class in a school: We stopped doing Art in the fourth form.

—see also: sixth form

9 GRAMMAR (C) a way of writing or saying a word, for example one that shows it is in the past or the plural: `Was' is a past form of the verb `to be'.

10 SEAT (C) a long low wooden seat without a back

11 bad form BrE old-fashioned behaviour that is considered to be socially unacceptable: It is considered rather bad form to arrive early at a dinner party.

12 be in good/great etc form also be on good/great etc form BrE to be full of confidence and energy, so that you do something well or talk in an interesting or amusing way etc: Michelle was in great form at last week's conference.

—see also: form teacher 2 verb

1 START TO EXIST (intransitive, transitive often passive) to start to exist, or make something start to exist, especially as the result of a natural process: The rocks were formed more than 4000 million years ago. | Ice was beginning to form around the edges of the windows.

2 BE PART OF (linking verb) to be part of something, or be the thing that something is based on: Newton's theories form the basis of modern mathematics.

3 BE OR ACT AS STH (linking verb) if something forms something, it acts as or works in a particular way: The river formed a natural boundary between the two countries.

4 MAKE/PRODUCE (T)

a) to make something, especially by combining two or more parts: In English the past tense is usually formed by adding `ed'.

b) to make something so that it has a particular shape: Cut off the corners of the square to form a diamond.

5 ESTABLISH/MAKE (T)

a) to establish an organization, committee, government etc: The United Nations was formed in 1945.

b) form a relationship/alliance/attachment to establish a relationship with someone: She has difficulty forming long-term relationships with men.

6 form an opinion/impression/idea to use available information to develop or reach an opinion or idea: Police are trying to form an idea of what kind of person the killer is.

7 DEVELOP (T) to make someone develop into a particular type of person: Events in early childhood often help to form our personalities in later life.

8 LINE (I, T) to come together and make a group or a line: Film-goers began to form a line outside the cinema.