amorphous

adjective

amor·​phous ə-ˈmȯr-fəs 

1

a

: 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

amorphously adverb

amorphousness noun

Synonyms

• formless
• shapeless
• unformed
• unshaped
• unstructured

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 1982

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

Inclusion is not a vague amorphous concept—distinct behavioral competencies can be measured to identify developmental needs and close via training and coaching. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

The meaning of the ick is different to everyone, and its amorphous nature makes for a softer work from Kahn, who has a penchant for taking on sacred cows. —Stephen Saito, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024

There is no money on the line but a more amorphous bet—the fate of a race. —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024

Immediately, the seemingly amorphous blob’s true identity began to take shape. —Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 14 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek amorphos, from a- + morphē form

First Known Use

circa 1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

amorphous

adjective

amor·​phous ə-ˈmȯr-fəs 

: having no fixed form

an amorphous cloud

amorphously adverb

amorphousness noun

Medical Definition

amorphous

adjective

amor·​phous ə-ˈmȯr-fəs 

1

: having no apparent shape or organization

2

: having no real or apparent crystalline form