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Formless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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formless

[ˈfɔːrmləs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

shapeless

Having no definite or distinct shape; amorphous.

Synonyms

amorphous, shapeless, unstructured.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
formless

Used to describe something that lacks a definite shape or form. Often used in artistic or descriptive contexts.

  • The mist was formless, spreading across the landscape without boundaries.
  • Her thoughts felt formless, drifting without direction.
shapeless

Used to describe something that does not have a clear or fixed shape. Often used in a negative or critical sense when talking about physical appearance or design.

  • The shapeless dress did nothing to enhance her figure.
  • The wet clay was shapeless before it was molded by the artist.
amorphous

Used in scientific, technical, or more formal contexts to describe something that is without a clear structure or form. It can also be used to describe something that is vague and not well-defined.

  • The concept remains amorphous and hard to grasp.
  • Amorphous solids, like glass, do not have a crystalline structure.
unstructured

Used primarily to describe something that lacks organization. Can refer to various contexts like spontaneous events, unplanned situations, or things that do not follow a particular structure.

  • The meeting was unstructured, leading to a lot of off-topic discussions.
  • He thrived in an unstructured environment where he could be creative.

Examples of usage

  • The creature in the horror movie was described as a formless mass of tentacles.
  • The artist's painting depicted a formless figure wandering through a misty forest.
Context #2 | Adjective

vague

Lacking a clear structure or organization; lacking shape or form.

Synonyms

incoherent, nebulous, vague.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
formless

Use 'formless' to describe something that lacks a clear shape or structure.

  • The ghost appeared as a formless, floating entity.
  • His dreams were formless and shifting, without any discernible pattern.
vague

Use 'vague' to describe something that is not clear in meaning or detail.

  • She gave a vague description of the man she saw at the scene.
  • The instructions were so vague that we couldn't figure out what to do.
nebulous

Use 'nebulous' to describe ideas or concepts that are vague and not well-defined.

  • His plans for the future are still nebulous and need more fleshing out.
  • The regulations were nebulous, leaving much to individual interpretation.
incoherent

Use 'incoherent' to describe speech or writing that is unclear or difficult to understand, often with a negative connotation.

  • His argument was so incoherent that no one could follow it.
  • After the accident, she was hysterical and incoherent, making it hard to get any useful information from her.

Examples of usage

  • His formless ideas were difficult to follow during the presentation.
  • The formless debate left the audience confused and frustrated.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'formless'

The word 'formless' originated in the late 16th century from the combination of 'form' and the suffix '-less', meaning 'without'. It has been used to describe things that lack a clear shape or structure, emphasizing the idea of amorphousness or vagueness.

See also: amorphic, conform, deform, deformed, form, formal, formality, formally, formation, formative, formatter, formed, former, formerly, formic, forming, forms, malform, malformation, multiformity, preformative, reform, unformed.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,202, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.