true to form Definition

form¹
noun

1. Shape.

Thesaurus: shape, figure, arrangement, outline, configuration, formation, structure, construction, framework.
2. Figure or outward appearance.
3. Kind, type, variety or manifestation.
4. A document with printed text and spaces for the insertion of information.
5. A way, especially the correct way, of doing or saying something.

Thesaurus: method, plan, way, manner, mode, custom, format, style, procedure.
6. Structure and organization in a piece of writing or work of art.
7. One's potential level of performance, eg in sport.

Example: soon find your form again
8. Any of the ways that a word can be spelt or grammatically inflected.

Example: the past tense form
9. A school class.
10. A bench.
11. slang
A criminal record.
12. A hare's burrow.

verb formed, forming

1. To organize or set something up.
intr
2. To come into existence; to take shape.
3. To shape; to make (a shape).
4. To take on the shape or function of something.
5. To make up; to constitute.

Thesaurus: constitute, compose, make up, figure in, serve as, act as.
6. To develop.

Example: form a relationship
7. To influence or mould someone or something.

Example: the environment that formed him
Thesaurus: influence, mould, pattern, model, arrange, make, fashion, construct, devise, design, contrive, invent, erect.
8. To construct, inflect grammatically or pronounce (a word).

Derivative: formable
adj

Derivative: forming
noun

Idiom: good form (bad form)

Polite or impolite social behaviour.
Example: That really is bad form

Idiom: in good form

In good spirits or health.

Idiom: a matter of form

A case of a procedure being gone through for the sake of legality or convention.

Idiom: on form (off form)

Performing well or badly.

Idiom: take form

To come into existence; to begin to have shape.

Idiom: true to form

In the usual, typical or characteristic way.

Etymology: 13c: from Latin forma shape or model.

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true
adj

1. Agreeing with fact or reality; not false or wrong.

Thesaurus: valid, right, correct.
2. Real; genuine; properly so called.

Example: The spider is not a true insect
Thesaurus: real, bona fide, genuine, authentic; Antonym: fake, false.
3. Accurate or exact.

Example: The photograph doesn't give a true idea of the size of the building
Thesaurus: accurate, precise, exact; Antonym: inaccurate.
4. Faithful; loyal.

Example: a true friend
Example: be true to one's word
Thesaurus: loyal, stalwart, faithful, trustworthy, reliable, sure, constant, steady, devoted, dependable, sincere; Antonym: faithless.
5. Conforming to a standard, pattern, type or expectation.

Example: behaved true to type
6. In the correct position; well-fitting; accurately adjusted.
7. Said of a compass bearing: measured according to the Earth's axis and not magnetic north.
8. Honest; sincere.

Example: twelve good men and true

adverb

1. Certainly.

Example: True, she isn't very happy here
2. Truthfully.
3. Faithfully.
4. Honestly.
5. Accurately or precisely.
6. Accurately in tune.

Example: sing true
7. Conforming to ancestral type.

Example: breed true

verb

trued, truing
1. To bring or restore (eg machinery) into an accurate or required position.

Derivative: truly

See separate entry.

Idiom: come true

Said of a dream, hope, wish, etc: to happen in reality; to be fulfilled.

Idiom: out of true

Not in the correct position; not straight or properly balanced.

Idiom: true to form

Said of someone, their behaviour, etc: conforming to what is normal for them or expected of them.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon treow.