1 [count] a : a type or kind of something
▪ Coal is a form of carbon. ▪ a rare/deadly form of cancer ▪ a popular form of entertainment ▪ different forms of life = different life forms [=different types of living beings] ▪ an ancient form of music ▪ an art form
b : one of several or many different ways in which something is seen, experienced, or produced
▪ The medicine can be taken in the form of a liquid or pill. = The medicine can be taken in pill or liquid form. ▪ His essays are now available in book form. [=his essays have been published in a book] ▪ the written/spoken form of the language ▪ Antisocial behavior can take many forms. [=there are many different types of antisocial behavior] ▪ Most of his wealth is in the form of stocks. [=most of his wealth consists of stocks] 2 a : the shape of something [count] ▪ the building's massive form [noncount] ▪ a style of architecture that emphasizes form over function
b [count] : something that can be seen only as a shape or outline
▪ The shadowy forms of several people were visible through the smoke.
c [count] : bodily shape : figure
▪ the human/female form 3 [count] : a document with blank spaces for filling in information
▪ a tax form ▪ an application form ▪ fill out a form 4 [noncount] somewhat old-fashioned : a way of behaving that is judged as proper or improper
▪ It's considered bad/poor form to arrive so early. = It's not considered good form to arrive so early. [=it is not proper to arrive so early] 5 [noncount] a : a manner or style of performing
▪ an athlete with good form ▪ She would be a better swimmer/golfer if she improved her form.
b : condition for performing
▪ an athlete in top form [=shape]
c — used to describe how well or badly someone is performing ▪ She was really in great form at the party, telling jokes and dancing. ▪ He was at the top of his form. [=he was performing extremely well] ▪ (chiefly Brit) He's been playing poorly in recent months, but now he's back on form. [=now he's playing well again] ▪ (chiefly Brit) She was a little off form. 6 : the way in which the parts of a piece of writing or music or of a work of art are arranged [noncount] ▪ the form and content of a poem/essay [count] ▪ The sonnet is a poetical form. ▪ symphonic forms 7 [count] : any one of the different ways in which a word may be written or spoken
▪ the plural/possessive form of a noun ▪ the inflected forms of a verb — see also combining form 8 [noncount] : a grade in a British secondary school or in some American private schools
▪ students in the sixth form