# form

/ˈfɔɹm/ (US) · /fˈɔːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/form
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. shape or appearance

noun · CEFR A2

the physical shape, appearance, or configuration of something.

For teachers: the external shape, appearance, or configuration of an object, often in contrast to its matter or content.

- The artist was fascinated by the form of the ancient trees in the park.
- The sculptor spent months refining the human form, ensuring every muscle and curve was anatomically precise.

### 2. document to fill in

noun · CEFR A1

a printed or digital document with blank spaces for you to write information.

For teachers: a document with a fixed arrangement of captioned spaces designed for the entry and extraction of specific data.

- Please fill in this application form and return it to the front desk.
- The immigration officer requested that all applicants complete the supplementary form in block capitals to ensure legibility.

### 3. a type or variety

noun · CEFR B1

a particular type, kind, or variety of something.

For teachers: a particular manifestation, variety, or type of something that exists in several ways.

- Swimming is a great form of exercise for people of all ages.
- The professor argued that satire is a sophisticated form of social commentary that requires a deep understanding of cultural context.

### 4. school year

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a class or year group in some schools, especially in the UK.

For teachers: a class or year group of students, primarily used in British English and some private educational contexts.

- My brother is in the fifth form at his secondary school.
- The headmaster addressed the sixth form regarding their upcoming university applications and the importance of meeting deadlines.

### 5. grammar/linguistics

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the specific way a word is written or spoken depending on its grammar.

For teachers: the particular grammatical or phonological shape of a word or morpheme.

- The past tense form of 'go' is 'went'.
- Learners often struggle with the irregular forms of strong verbs in Germanic languages.

### 6. athletic technique

noun · CEFR B2

the way you move your body when doing a sport or exercise.

For teachers: the technical manner in which a physical movement or athletic task is executed.

- You should focus on your form when lifting weights to avoid injury.
- The coach spent the entire session correcting the swimmer's form to maximize efficiency and reduce drag in the water.

### 7. to create or make

verb · CEFR A2

to make, create, or start something.

For teachers: to bring something into existence or to give it a particular shape.

- The students decided to form a book club to meet once a month.
- Over millions of years, the cooling lava formed the unique hexagonal columns seen along the coast today.

### 8. to constitute

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to be the parts that make up a whole.

For teachers: to serve as the components or essential elements of a whole.

- These three departments form the core of our university.
- The evidence presented during the trial will form the basis of the jury's final decision.

## Examples

- Please fill out this form with your name and phone number.
- The receptionist handed me a medical history form to complete before my appointment with the doctor.
- To ensure your application is processed without delay, please verify that every mandatory field on the registration form has been completed accurately before submission.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.