deform
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
deforms,
present (3rd person singular)
-
deformed,
past participle, past
-
deforming
present participle
-
to mar the natural form or shape of; put out of shape; disfigure.
In cases where the drug was taken during pregnancy, its effects deformed the infants.
- Synonyms:
- misshape
-
to make ugly, ungraceful, or displeasing; mar the beauty of; spoil.
The trees had been completely deformed by the force of the wind.
- Synonyms:
- ruin
-
to change the form of; transform.
-
Geology, Mechanics. to subject to deformation.
The metal was deformed under stress.
verb (used without object)
-
deforms,
present (3rd person singular)
-
deformed,
past participle, past
-
deforming
present participle
adjective
verb
-
to make or become misshapen or distorted
-
(tr) to mar the beauty of; disfigure
-
(tr) to subject or be subjected to a stress that causes a change of dimensions
Synonym Usage
See mar.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
deformsimple
-
deformssimple
-
have deformedperfect
-
has deformedperfect
-
am deformingprogressive
-
are deformingprogressive
-
is deformingprogressive
-
have been deformingperfect progressive
-
has been deformingperfect progressive
Past
-
deformedsimple
-
had deformedperfect
-
was deformingprogressive
-
were deformingprogressive
-
had been deformingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of deform1
1350–1400; Middle English deformen, from Latin dēfōrmāre, equivalent to dē- de- + fōrmāre “to shape, form” ( see form)
Origin of deform2
1350–1400; Middle English defo ( u ) rme < Latin dēformis, equivalent to dē- de- + -formis -form
Explanation
To deform is to force something to have a new shape by pushing or twisting it. While some kids love to shape animals out of clay, others prefer to deform their friends' elephants and puppies. In physics or engineering, to deform something is to change its shape by applying force. You're more likely to come across the word deformed, used either as an adjective or a verb: "My cat's paws are deformed—see, she's got two extra toes on every foot." The source of this word is the verb deform, or "disfigure," which comes from the Latin deformare, "put out of shape."
Vocabulary lists containing deform
Shape Up: Form
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Plate Tectonics - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Out of the Dust
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Defensive wars don’t merely protect states, they also deform them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026
The usual explanation is that surfaces deform slightly under pressure, creating more microscopic contact points that increase resistance.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 22, 2026
"The first thing we did was to deform a piece of metal," Freitas explains.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2025
"If we permanently deform a tyre, it doesn't roll efficiently, and we have issues with power loss," says Dr Padula.
From BBC ● May 12, 2025
“Or your hand will move and you’ll deform yourself.”
From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos
This alloy softens and deforms at relatively low temperatures — around 500 F — well below the intensity of a typical house fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2026
The zinc oxide material was chosen for its piezoelectric properties, which means that when it waves, bends, or deforms under motion, it generates electric potential.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2023
One type of virus carried by mites results in a bee being born with no abdomen, while another deforms their wings and leaves them too weak to fly.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2023
Peanut butter can be poured into its container and then it deforms, or takes the shape of that container.
From Scientific American ● May 9, 2023
The small kinds with soft shells should be preserved in alcohol for drying frequently deforms them to such a degree that they cannot be recognised.
From Movement of the International Literary Exchanges, between France and North America from January 1845 to May, 1846 With Instructions for Collecting, Preparing, and Forwarding Objects of Natural History Written by The Professors Administrators of The Museum Of Natural History At Paris. And Instructions Relative to Anthropology and Zoology by Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire
This extensive reorganization produces a highly deformed nuclear shape.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 8, 2026
More than a dozen countries took part in the weeks-long search for the vessel, which was eventually located a year later by a private British marine robotics firm, its hull dented and deformed.
From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026
The medical examiner retrieved a deformed metal projectile.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 16, 2025
Neave, now 18, suffers from curvature of the spine, muscle wastage, scar tissue, and deformed feet, Natasha added.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2025
Seth poured the remnants of the hot chocolate into the drain in case it could be of use to the deformed fairy.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
A spokesman for Poland's long-distance rail operator, PKP Intercity, told AFP the heatwave was expected to affect traffic, with overhead power lines sagging and rails deforming.
From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026
Vidale said it’s likely the outer core is deforming the shape of the inner core, pushing it a kilometer or two in areas where they rub together with force.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2025
"It got to the point where the cysts started growing under my skin and deforming the shape of my face, so I was put through to a dermatologist," she said.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2024
Low-pressure environments are generally unfavorable for microbes, since these conditions will cause the water in cells to evaporate, deforming their structure.
From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2024
He saw Jan as though someone had performed an operation upon his eyes, or as though someone had snatched a deforming mask from Jan’s face.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
