# format

/ˈfɔɹˌmæt/ (US) · /fˈɔːmæt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/format
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. layout of a document

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the way text and pictures are arranged on a page or screen.

For teachers: the physical or digital layout of a publication, document, or graphic interface.

- You need to change the format of the report to make it easier to read.
- The editor requested a change in the document format to ensure the margins and font sizes complied with the university's thesis guidelines.

Usage: Often used with 'standard', 'consistent', or 'prescribed'.

### 2. digital file type

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the specific way a computer stores information, like a PDF or a JPEG.

For teachers: the specific encoding or structure used to store data in a computer file.

- Please save your photo in a JPEG format before uploading it.
- The software supports a wide variety of video formats, allowing users to export their projects for different devices without losing quality.

### 3. style of presentation

noun · CEFR B2

the general way an event, show, or meeting is organised.

For teachers: the general organisation or mode of presentation of an event, broadcast, or artistic work.

- The new talk show has a very relaxed format.
- The conference adopted a hybrid format, combining in-person keynote speeches with virtual breakout sessions for international participants.

### 4. to arrange a document

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to change the way text looks on a page, like making it bold or changing the size.

For teachers: to arrange or adjust the layout and appearance of text or data in a document.

- I spent an hour formatting the table so it would fit on one page.
- The researcher carefully formatted the bibliography according to the latest style guide to avoid any technical errors in the final submission.

### 5. to prepare a disk

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to prepare a computer disk or drive so it can store new information, which usually deletes everything on it.

For teachers: to prepare a storage medium for use by defining the structure for data storage, typically erasing existing content.

- You must format the new hard drive before you can save files to it.
- The technician had to format the corrupted drive to restore its functionality, though this resulted in the loss of all unrecovered data.

Usage: Usually takes a direct object representing a storage device.

## Examples

- Please save the document in a PDF format.
- The teacher asked the students to change the format of their essays to include wider margins.
- While the content of the presentation was excellent, the inconsistent format of the slides made it difficult for the audience to follow the data trends.

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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.