form

shape

Quick Summary

The root form, which means ‘shape,’ gives us a number of words that are used every day, including reform, information, deformed, and form. To ‘form," for instance, is simply ’to shape,’ whereas to reform is merely to ‘shape again.’ To keep you in verbal “shape,” let’s take a look at the way some other words are formed!

Keep in Word Shape Using Good Verbal Form

When we receive information, it is simply a description of something which gives a ‘shape’ to a given topic. An informant therefore gives a ‘shape’ to some fact, whereas if you are well informed you are in good ‘shape’ when it comes to facts.

If something is deformed it is out of ‘shape’ in some way. Something malformed is ‘badly shaped.’

When we conform to another’s viewpoint, we give ourselves thoroughly to the ‘shape’ of someone else’s opinion or ideas. A nonconformist, on the other hand, does not give ‘shape’ to any widespread idea or opinion, but bucks current trends of thought. Of course, if you have to wear a uniform, everyone has but ‘one shape’!

There are many different forms, or ‘shapes,’ in which this word is used, including the suffix ‘-form.’ For example, anything cruciform is ‘shaped’ like a cross, whereas writing that is cuneiform is ‘wedgelike in shape.’

Let’s talk science. When Isaac Newton gave the formula for gravitational force he was giving a scientific ‘shape’ to gravity. A formula in general is a mathematical equation which gives ‘shape’ to known rules or facts. But as we now know, Newton’s formula was misinformed or somewhat ‘badly shaped.’ It took the genius of Einstein to correctly transform or ‘shape’ Newton’s work ‘across’ into more precise scientific territory.

There, that is plenty of information on form! I shall conform to preformed rules and formulate no more!

  1. information: descriptive ‘shape’
  2. deformed: ‘out of shape’
  3. malformed: ‘badly shaped’
  4. conform: ‘thoroughly shape’ to others
  5. nonconformist: ‘not thoroughly shaped’ to others
  6. cruciform: ‘shaped like a cross’
  7. cuneiform: ‘shaped like a wedge’
  8. formula: mathematical ‘shape’
  9. transform: ‘shape across’

Usage

  • formative

    Something formative shapes or influences the growth of something else.

  • formulate

    When you formulate a plan of action, you carefully work it out or design it in great detail ahead of time.

  • nonconformist

    A nonconformist is unwilling to believe in the same things other people do or act in a fashion that society sets as a standard.

  • format

    A format is a structure, plan, or arrangement for how to do something.

  • formula

    A formula is a method or plan used to solve a problem or help something succeed.

  • reform

    When something reforms, it changes in some way for the better.

  • conformity

    correspondence in form or appearance

  • cruciform

    shaped like a cross

  • cuneiform

    shaped like a wedge

  • deform

    make formless

  • deformity

    an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen or malformed

  • disinformation

    misinformation that is deliberately disseminated in order to influence or confuse rivals (foreign enemies or business competitors etc.)

  • formality

    a requirement of etiquette or custom

  • formalize

    make formal or official

  • formatted

    set (printed matter) into a specific format

  • formless

    having no physical form

  • formulaic

    characterized by or in accordance with some formula

  • informality

    a manner that does not take forms and ceremonies seriously

  • informant

    a person who supplies information

  • informative

    tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance

  • malformation

    an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen or malformed

  • misinformation

    information that is incorrect

  • multiform

    occurring in or having many forms or shapes or appearances

  • reformation

    improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.

  • transformation

    a qualitative change

  • uniformity

    a condition in which everything is regular and unvarying

Differentiated vocabulary for your students is just a click away.