ruined; spoiled; coming to nothing
Describes a state where something is completely ruined, spoiled, or rendered useless, often after effort or expectation. Used as a noun or adjectival noun.
雨でピクニックが形無しになった。
The picnic was ruined by the rain.
complete loss of face
Specifically refers to a total loss of face, dignity, or reputation. Often used in social contexts where one's standing is destroyed.
彼は公の場で失敗して形無しになった。
He suffered a complete loss of face after failing in public.
計画が形無しだ。
The plan has come to nothing.
Standard kanji spelling.
Search-only variant.
Compound of 形 (かた, 'shape, form') and 無し (なし, 'without'). Literally 'formless', it came to mean something that has lost its proper shape or state, hence 'ruined' or 'disgraced'.