Formless: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.