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Shapes and Resemblance
This assortment of 370 adjectives all refer in some way to the form or shape of things. Some are more geometrically descriptive than others, while a number of terms refer to animal forms or shapes of obscure objects. Certain adjectives for shapes are also often used to indicate general similarity of attributes, in addition to or rather than physical resemblance. In some cases, when two very similar shape adjectives exist for the same term, I have included only the most popular or frequently used.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| acetabuliform | shaped like a shallow cup or saucer |
| acicular | needle-shaped |
| acinaciform | scimitar-shaped |
| aciniform | shaped like a berry |
| aculeiform | shaped like a thorn |
| adeniform | shaped like a gland |
| aduncate | shaped like a hook or crook |
| aeriform | of the form or shape of gas; gaseous |
| aliform | wing-shaped |
| allantoid | shaped like a sausage |
| amygdaloid | almond-shaped; of, like or pertaining to tonsils |
| ancistroid | hook-shaped |
| ancoral | of, shaped like or resembling an anchor |
| anguiform | shaped like a snake |
| anguilliform | shaped like an eel |
| ankyroid | hook-shaped |
| annodated | shaped like the letter S |
| ansate | having a handle or hand-like shape |
| apsidal | shaped like an apse |
| aquiform | watery; liquid |
| araneiform | shaped like a spider |
| arborescent | branched; branching; tree-shaped |
| arboriform | shaped like a tree |
| arcate | bow-shaped |
| arciform | shaped like a bow |
| arcuate | arched; bow-shaped |
| arietinous | shaped like a ram's head |
| aspergilliform | shaped like a brush |
| aspidate | shield-shaped |
| auriform | shaped like an ear |
| aveniform | shaped like oats |
| axiniform | shaped like an axe-head |
| bacciform | shaped like a berry |
| baculiform | rod-shaped |
| balanoid | acorn-shaped |
| belemnoid | shaped like a dart |
| beloid | shaped like an arrow |
| belonoid | shaped like a needle |
| boniform | having the form of good |
| boviform | cow-shaped |
| branchiform | gill-shaped |
| buccinal | shaped or sounding like a trumpet |
| bufoniform | shaped like a toad |
| bulliform | shaped like a blister or boil |
| bursiform | shaped like a pouch or purse |
| calathiform | cup-shaped |
| calcariform | spur-shaped |
| calceiform | shaped like a slipper |
| calciform | pebble-shaped |
| campaniform | bell-shaped |
| campanulate | shaped like a bell |
| cancriform | shaped like a crab |
| cannular | hollow or tube-shaped |
| capriform | goatlike |
| cardioid | heart-shaped |
| carinated | shaped like the prow or keel of a ship |
| cariniform | keel-shaped |
| cassideous | helmet-shaped |
| caudiform | tail-like; tail-shaped |
| cauliform | shaped like or resembling a stem |
| ceratoid | shaped like a horn; horny |
| cheliform | shaped like a pincer |
| choanoid | shaped like a funnel |
| cingular | shaped like a girdle or ring |
| circinate | ring-shaped; rolled inwards; spiralling |
| clathrate | shaped like a net or lattice |
| clavate | club-shaped |
| claviform | in the shape of a club |
| clithridiate | shaped like a keyhole |
| clypeate | shaped like a buckler |
| cochlear | anything spiral-shaped; twisted spirally |
| coliform | resembling or shaped like a sieve |
| colliform | shaped like or resembling a neck |
| colubriform | shaped like a snake |
| conchiform | shaped like a shell |
| conglobate | shaped like a small ball or globe |
| coracoid | shaped like a crow's beak |
| cordate | heart-shaped |
| cordiform | heart-shaped |
| corniculate | horn-shaped; horned |
| corniform | shaped like a horn |
| coronoid | shaped like a beak |
| corviform | shaped like a crow |
| cotyliform | disc-shaped with a raised rim |
| crateriform | cup-shaped |
| cribriform | shaped like a sieve |
| cricoid | ring-shaped |
| cruciform | cross-shaped |
| cteniform | comb-shaped |
| cubiform | shaped like a cube |
| cucullate | hooded; hood-shaped |
| cucumiform | cucumber-shaped |
| culiciform | like or resembling a mosquito |
| cultriform | knife-shaped |
| cumuliform | shaped like a heap |
| cuneate | wedge-shaped |
| cuneiform | shaped like a wedge |
| cupulate | of, like or pertaining to a cup; cup-shaped |
| cyathiform | shaped like a cup |
| cymbiform | shaped like a boat |
| deiform | appearing like or shaped like a god |
| deltoid | shaped like a delta or triangle |
| dendriform | shaped like a tree |
| dendritiform | branched |
| dentiform | shaped like a tooth |
| digitiform | shaped like a finger |
| disciform | round or oval in shape |
| dolabriform | resembling a hatchet or cleaver |
| dolioform | shaped like a barrel |
| draconiform | shaped like a dragon |
| drepaniform | shaped like a sickle |
| echinuliform | resembling small spines |
| embryoniform | shaped like an embryo |
| ensiform | resembling or possessing characteristics of a sword |
| eruciform | like or resembling a caterpillar |
| fabiform | shaped like a bean |
| falciform | shaped like a sickle |
| faviform | shaped like a honeycomb |
| feliform | having a catlike form or shape |
| fibriform | shaped like a fibre |
| fibrilliform | shaped like a small fibre |
| ficiform | shaped like a fig |
| filiciform | shaped like a fern or frond |
| filiform | shaped like a thread |
| fistuliform | shaped like a pipe |
| flabelliform | shaped like a fan |
| flagelliform | shaped like a whip |
| floriform | shaped like a flower |
| foliform | shaped like a leaf |
| forcipiform | shaped like forceps |
| foveiform | shaped like a depression or pit |
| fringilliform | resembling a finch |
| fucoid | shaped like seaweed |
| fulciform | shaped like or resembling a prop |
| fundiform | shaped like a sling |
| fungiform | shaped like a fungus |
| furcular | shaped like a fork |
| fusiform | shaped like a spindle |
| galeated | shaped like a helmet |
| galeiform | shaped like a helmet |
| gasiform | of the form or shape of gas |
| geminiform | paired; double |
| gladiate | shaped like a sword |
| glandiform | gland-shaped; acorn-shaped |
| glenoid | slightly cupped; socket-shaped |
| gliriform | resembling a rodent |
| guttiform | shaped like a drop |
| hamiform | shaped like a hook |
| harengiform | shaped like a herring |
| hastate | spear-shaped |
| hederiform | shaped like ivy |
| helicoid | screw-shaped; like a coil |
| helminthoid | worm-shaped |
| herpetiform | resembling or shaped like a reptile |
| hippocrepian | horseshoe-shaped |
| hippocrepiform | shaped like a horseshoe |
| homaloidal | of the nature of a plane; flat; plane-shaped |
| hominiform | shaped like a human |
| hordeiform | shaped like a barleycorn |
| hyoid | having a "U" shape |
| hypsiloid | shaped like the Greek letter upsilon |
| ichthyomorphic | shaped like a fish |
| igniform | having the shape or form of fire |
| infundibuliform | having the form or shape of a funnel or cone |
| janiform | having two faces |
| lacertiform | shaped like a lizard |
| lachrymiform | shaped like a tear |
| laciniform | shaped like a fringe |
| lageniform | shaped like a flask |
| lambdoid | shaped like the letter lambda (^) or “L” |
| lamelliform | shaped like a plate or layer |
| lanceolate | shaped like a lance-head |
| lanciform | shaped like a lance |
| lapilliform | shaped like a small stone |
| lentiform | shaped like a lens |
| leporiform | resembling or shaped like a hare |
| libriform | shaped like a book |
| ligniform | of the form or shape of wood |
| ligulate | resembling or shaped like a strap |
| limaciform | slug-like |
| linguiform | shaped like a tongue |
| lobular | shaped like a lobe |
| luciform | like light |
| lumbriciform | shaped like a worm; worm-like |
| lunate | crescent-shaped |
| lunulate | shaped like a small crescent |
| lupiform | shaped like a wolf |
| lyrate | lyre-shaped |
| malleiform | shaped like a hammer |
| mammiform | shaped like a breast |
| mammiliform | shaped like a nipple |
| mammose | shaped like a breast |
| mandibuliform | shaped like a mandible or jaw-bone |
| maniform | having the shape of a hand |
| manubrial | shaped like a handle |
| medusiform | resembling a jellyfish |
| menisciform | shaped like a crescent |
| mitrate | shaped like a mitre or bonnet |
| mitriform | mitre-shaped |
| molariform | shaped like a molar |
| moniliform | shaped like a string of beads |
| montiform | shaped like a mountain |
| morbilliform | like or resembling measles |
| moriform | shaped like a mulberry |
| mucroniform | like, having or resembling a sharp point |
| muriform | resembling a mouse or rat |
| muscariform | shaped like a brush |
| napiform | shaped like a turnip |
| nariform | shaped like the nostrils |
| nasutiform | shaped like a nose |
| natiform | shaped like buttocks |
| navicular | boat-shaped |
| naviform | boat-shaped |
| nephroid | kidney-shaped |
| neuralgiform | like or shaped like a nerve |
| nubiform | cloudlike |
| nuciform | shaped like a nut |
| nummiform | shaped like a coin |
| oculiform | shaped like an eye |
| olivary | olive-shaped |
| oliviform | shaped like an olive |
| omegoid | shaped like a horseshoe or omega |
| ooidal | egg-shaped |
| ophiomorphic | shaped like a snake |
| oriform | shaped like a mouth |
| ostreiform | shaped like an oyster |
| oviform | like a sheep |
| oviform | shaped like an oval or egg |
| ovopyriform | having a shape between a pear and an egg |
| palaceous | spade-shaped |
| paliform | shaped like a stake |
| palmate | hand-shaped |
| pampiniform | like a tendril |
| panduriform | fiddle-shaped |
| papilliform | nipple-shaped |
| paraboliform | shaped like a parabola |
| patelliform | shaped like a saucer or kneecap |
| pateriform | saucer-shaped |
| pectiniform | shaped like a comb |
| pediform | shaped like a foot |
| pelecoid | shaped like a hatchet; a hatchet-shaped geometrical figure |
| peltastiform | shield-shaped |
| pelviform | basin-shaped |
| pencilliform | paintbrush-shaped |
| penniform | feather-shaped |
| phacoid | lens-shaped |
| phialiform | saucer-shaped |
| phylliform | shaped like a leaf |
| piciform | of the form or shape of a woodpecker |
| piciform | of the nature of or resembling pitch |
| pileated | cap-shaped; crested; capped |
| pileiform | shaped like an umbrella |
| piliform | shaped like hair |
| pineal | shaped like a pine-cone |
| pinnate | shaped like a feather |
| pisciform | shaped like a fish |
| pisiform | shaped like a pea |
| placentiform | cake-shaped |
| plataleiform | spoonbilled; of the shape of a spoonbill |
| plexiform | shaped like a network |
| poculiform | cup-shaped |
| podiform | shaped like a pod |
| pomiform | shaped like an apple |
| poriform | having the form of a pore |
| probosciform | shaped like a long nose |
| pugioniform | dagger-shaped |
| pulvilliform | shaped like a cushion |
| punctiform | shaped like a point |
| pyrgoidal | tower-shaped |
| pyriform | shaped like a pear |
| radiciform | like a root |
| raduliform | like a rasp or file |
| ramiform | branching; shaped like branches |
| raniform | frog-like |
| remiform | oar-shaped |
| reniform | shaped like a kidney |
| restiform | shaped like a cord |
| retiform | shaped like a net |
| rhamphoid | hooked beak shaped |
| rhipidate | fan-shaped |
| rhomboid | shaped like a parallelogram |
| riziform | shaped like a grain of rice |
| rostelliform | shaped like a small beak |
| ruiniform | having the form or appearance of ruins |
| sacciform | shaped like a sac |
| sacculiform | shaped like a small sac |
| sagittal | shaped like an arrow |
| sagittiform | shaped like an arrowhead |
| salpiform | shaped like a barrel |
| scalariform | shaped like a ladder |
| scalpeliform | shaped like a scalpel |
| scalpriform | shaped like a chisel |
| scaphoid | boat-shaped |
| scapiform | shaped like a stalk |
| sciuroid | shaped like a squirrel’s tail |
| scrotiform | shaped like a pouch |
| scutellate | shaped like a platter |
| scutiform | shaped like a shield |
| scyphiform | shaped like a cup |
| securiform | shaped like an axe |
| selliform | shaped like a saddle |
| semilunate | shaped like a half-moon |
| septiform | shaped like a partition |
| serratiform | saw-shaped; serriform |
| serriform | saw-shaped |
| setiform | shaped like a bristle |
| sigmate | shaped like an S or a sigma |
| sigmoid | S-shaped |
| siphoniform | shaped like a siphon |
| soleiform | slipper-shaped |
| soliform | sun-like; resembling the sun |
| spadiceous | shaped like a palm branch |
| spatulate | shaped like a spatula |
| sphenoid | wedge-shaped |
| spicaceous | shaped like a spike |
| spiniform | like a thorn or spine |
| spiraliform | shaped like a spiral |
| squaliform | shaped like a shark |
| squamiform | shaped like a scale |
| stalactiform | shaped like a stalactite or icicle |
| stapediform | shaped like a stirrup |
| stellate | star-shaped; starry |
| stelliform | shaped like a star |
| stipiform | shaped like a stalk |
| stirious | shaped like an icicle |
| stratiform | layered; forming a layer |
| strigiform | shaped like an owl |
| strombuliform | shaped like a spinning top; spirally twisted |
| struthiform | ostrich-like |
| styliform | shaped like a bristle |
| subulate | awl-shaped |
| sudiform | shaped like a stake |
| sulciform | having the shape of a groove |
| taenioid | of a ribbon-like shape |
| tauriform | having the form of a bull |
| tauromorphous | bull-shaped |
| tectiform | shaped like a roof |
| theiform | of the form of tea |
| toroid | shaped like a doughnut or anchor-ring |
| trinacriform | three-pronged |
| trochiform | shaped like a spinning-top |
| tuberiform | shaped like a lump or protuberance |
| tubiform | shaped like a tube |
| turbinate | shaped like a top or inverted cone |
| turriform | shaped like a tower |
| tympaniform | drum-like; shaped like a drum |
| umbiliciform | shaped like a navel |
| umbraculiform | shaped like an umbrella |
| unciform | shaped like a hook |
| unguiform | shaped like a claw |
| urceiform | shaped like a pitcher |
| urceolate | shaped like a pitcher |
| ursiform | having the shape or appearance of a bear |
| utriculiform | shaped like a small cavity or sac |
| utriform | shaped like a leather bottle or flask |
| uvelloid | resembling a small cluster of grapes |
| variform | of various forms |
| vasculiform | shaped like a small vase or flowerpot |
| vasiform | shaped like a duct or vase |
| vergiform | shaped like a rod |
| vermiform | shaped like a worm |
| verruciform | shaped like a wart; wartlike |
| versiform | changing in form |
| villiform | of the form or shape of velvet |
| viperiform | shaped like a snake or viper |
| vitriform | of the form or shape of glass |
| vulviform | shaped like an oval or a vulva |
| xiphoid | sword-shaped |
| ypsiliform | shaped like an upsilon |
| zosteriform | shaped like a girdle |
I hope you have found this site to be useful. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me. Please note that I am not able to respond to all requests. Please consult a major dictionary before e-mailing your query. All material on this page © 1996-2014 Stephen Chrisomalis. Links to this page may be made without permission.