free form

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noun

a shape having an irregular contour, chiefly used in nonrepresentational art and industrial design.

Linguistics. a linguistic form that can occur by itself, as fire, book, or run.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Compare bound form.

Origin of free form

First recorded in 1945–50

Words nearby free form

free flight, free-floating, free-floating anxiety, Freefone, free-for-all, free form, Free French, freegan, free gift, free gold, free goods

Other definitions for free form (2 of 2)

free-form

or free·form

[ adjective free-fawrm; adverb free-fawrm ]

/ adjective ˈfriˌfɔrm; adverb ˈfriˈfɔrm /

adjective

characterized by free form: free-form sculpture.

not organized or planned in a conventional way: a free-form international conglomerate.

encouraged to function or evolve without advance planning; spontaneous: free-form management.

adverb

without restrictions or preconceptions: The children were allowed to paint free-form.

Origin of free-form

First recorded in 1950–55

How to use free form in a sentence

Although there are 24 problem-solving activity starter instructions included, the tracks can also be set up free form as well.
Toys and science gifts for kids of all ages|PopSci Commerce Team|February 18, 2021|Popular-Science
The Magna-Tiles offer creative free form building, but with the fun addition of magnets.
Toys and science gifts for kids of all ages|PopSci Commerce Team|February 18, 2021|Popular-Science
The actors filled in the free-form “unconventional script” with their own life experiences.
The Making of ‘Boyhood’: Richard Linklater’s 12-Year Journey to Create An American Masterpiece|Marlow Stern|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This Kabuki dance propelling some right and others just as automatically left should become more free form.
Why The Hagel Trial Balloon Popped|Gil Troy|December 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST

He still goes back to Chicago from time-to-time to do free-form comedy sketches at the Improv Olympics.
Michael Shannon Goes Crazy|Marlow Stern|September 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Of course, when an entire throng is trying to rise above itself, an epidemic of free-form vulgarity and solipsism ensues.
Punking the White House|Tunku Varadarajan|November 27, 2009|DAILY BEAST
They wished, above all things, to serve God and to do good—to transmit to posterity a pure church and free form of government.
Great Events in the History of North and South America|Charles A. Goodrich
The free form of government of this church attracted both ministers and members.
Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama|Walter L. Fleming
It is a discussion of a number of very vital subjects in the free form of extemporaneously spoken words.
The New Freedom|Woodrow Wilson
He regarded it as a synonym of the fantasia, which was a free form made up of fugato instrumental passages.
An Autobiography|Igor Stravinsky
The somewhat free form of his paper contributed to its success, as it only made his conviction and enthusiasm more apparent.
Life of Elie Metchnikoff, 1845-1916|Olga Metchnikoff

British Dictionary definitions for free form

free form

/ arts /

noun

an irregular flowing shape, often used in industrial or fabric design

adjective free-form

freely flowing, spontaneous

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012