amorphous

adjective

amor·phous | \ ə-ˈmȯr-fəs

Definition of amorphous

1a : having no definite form : shapeless an amorphous cloud mass

b : being without definite character or nature : unclassifiable an amorphous segment of society

c : lacking organization or unity an amorphous style of writing

2 : having no real or apparent crystalline form an amorphous mineral

Other Words from amorphous Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about amorphous

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Examples of amorphous in a Sentence

Astronomers think our solar system took shape when an amorphous interstellar cloud of dust and gas collapsed under its own weight. The conservation of angular momentum, or spin, kept some of the material from simply falling all the way to the newborn sun; instead it settled into a pancake shape. — Michael W. Werner et al., Scientific American, June 2009 Most library and academic accrediting associations either ignore weeding or have general, rather amorphous, standards. Among the more specific standards are those of the American Library Associations' 1967 public library systems standards, which suggest annual weeding of at least 5 percent of "community collections," with headquarters libraries weeding more cautiously … — LJ Special Report, 1990 A quarter of a century ago, author Betty Friedan stumbled upon a "problem that has no name."" Middle-class American women were prisoners of gilded cages, she argued, unfulfilled by their exclusive roles as wives and mother. Friedan gave the amorphous problem, and the book that described it, a name—"The Feminine Mystique"—and with it helped launch one of the most transforming social movements in modern history." — Eloise Salholz et al., Newsweek, 31 Mar. 1986 Oblivious to all the attention, the big cat calmly sashayed to a concave little hollow scooped out of an artificial granite cliff-side at the rear of her cage. There, her four sleeping, newborn cubs were nestled one atop another so tightly that they formed one amorphous lump of fur. — Jon Luoma, Audubon, November l982 an amorphous segment of society amorphous lumps of clay magically transformed by a skilled potter's hands into works of art

Recent Examples on the Web

Only one kind of silica is approved for use in cosmetic formulations: amorphous silica. — Olivia Fleming & Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Ultimate Guide to Clean Beauty," 12 Aug. 2019 Meanwhile, members of various left-wing groups, including Rose City Antifa, Portland’s homegrown, amorphous band of anti-fascist activists, are planning counterprotests beginning at 10 a.m., also in the park. — The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "Portland protests: Trump weighs in on Saturday demonstrations (live updates)," 17 Aug. 2019 Rational cogency is set aside, replaced by a moving blend of unguarded possibility (could) and amorphous delicacy (cloud). — Los Angeles Times, "Review: Sonic frequency as art? Enter Steve Roden’s captivating prisms of color," 17 Aug. 2019 Netthat the compound, made by using epoxy as a base and incorporating mango leaf extracts in a substrate of amorphous silica, achieved 99% inhibition of corrosion in commercial steel when immersed in a saline medium to mimic seawater. — Ranjit Devraj, Quartz India, "Mango leaves: Indian scientists’ solution to a $2.5 trillion global shipping problem," 24 July 2019 But what if a serial killer has enough wits and self-control to fashion an amorphous MO? — Dennis Drabelle, Dallas News, "'American Predator' reveals the chilling playbook of a serial killer," 9 July 2019 There’s no movie genre title more amorphous than ‘documentary,’ which can make finding a new story to stream all the more challenging. — Rachel E. Greenspan, Time, "These Are the Netflix Codes You Can Use to Take a Shortcut Straight to the Shows and Movies You Actually Want to Watch," 3 July 2019 Yes, there are some welcome modern touches: The score gets ambitiously atmospheric and amorphous. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Review: ‘Waitress’ carries down-home charm into The Bushnell," 19 June 2019 The zombie metaphor is eminently malleable, the amorphous horde a putty to be shaped into any sociocultural commentary. — Katie Walsh, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Bill Murray, Adam Driver battle zombies in ‘The Dead Don’t Die’," 13 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amorphous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for amorphous

amorphous

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of amorphous

: having no definite or clear shape or form

See the full definition for amorphous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

amorphous

adjective

amor·phous | \ ə-ˈmȯr-fəs

Medical Definition of amorphous

1 : having no apparent shape or organization

2 : having no real or apparent crystalline form

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amorphous

Definition of amorphous

Other Words from amorphous

Synonyms & Antonyms for amorphous

Examples of amorphous in a Sentence

First Known Use of amorphous

History and Etymology for amorphous

English Language Learners Definition of amorphous

Medical Definition of amorphous

amorphous

Definition of amorphous

Other Words from amorphous

Synonyms & Antonyms for amorphous

Examples of amorphous in a Sentence

First Known Use of amorphous

History and Etymology for amorphous

English Language Learners Definition of amorphous

Medical Definition of amorphous

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