amorphous

[uh-mawr-fuhs]

adjective

1. lacking definite form; having no specific shape; formless.

   the amorphous clouds.

   Synonyms: anomalous, vague, undefined, shapeless

2. of no particular kind or character; indeterminate; having no pattern or structure; unorganized.

   an amorphous style; an amorphous personality.

   Synonyms: anomalous, vague, undefined, shapeless

3. Petrography, Mineralogy.,  occurring in a mass, as without stratification or crystalline structure.

4. Chemistry.,  not crystalline.

5. Biology.,  having structural components that are not clearly differentiated, as the nuclear material in certain bacteria.

amorphous

/ əˈmɔːfəs /

adjective

1. lacking a definite shape; formless

2. of no recognizable character or type

3. (of chemicals, rocks, etc) not having a crystalline structure

amorphous

1. Not made of crystals. Glass, amber, and plastics are amorphous substances.

2. Lacking definite form or shape.

Other Word Forms

• amorphously adverb
• amorphousness noun
• amorphism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of amorphous¹

First recorded in 1725–35, amorphous is from the Greek word ámorphos shapeless. See a- ⁶, -morph, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of amorphous¹

C18: from New Latin, from Greek amorphos shapeless, from _a- ¹ + morphē shape

Example Sentences

Henry has a strong sense of this amorphous feminine figure.

From Los Angeles Times

That stature has only grown as elements of Deftones’ amorphously aggressive sound, which has elements of post-hardcore, trip hop and, most relevant to their revival, shoegaze, have attracted a much younger audience.

From Los Angeles Times

The songs on this trendsetting fourth album are amorphous and crystalline, obsessed with finding beauty in the most faraway corners.

From Los Angeles Times

But, as Agnes learns, turning trauma into an amorphous entity has its drawbacks, too.

From Salon

It was a rather amorphous role that gave him licence to have his say almost everywhere.

From BBC

Related Words

• nebulous 
• vague