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shape

Syllabification: (shape)
Pronunciation: /SHāp/
Translate shape | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of shape

noun

  • 1the external form or appearance characteristic of someone or something; the outline of an area or figure:she liked the shape of his nose houseplants come in all shapes and sizes chest freezers are square or rectangular in shape
  • a person or thing that is difficult to see and identify clearly:he saw a shape through the mist
  • a specific form or guise assumed by someone or something:a fiend in human shape
  • a piece of material, paper, etc., made or cut in a particular form:stick paper shapes on for the puppet’s eyes and nose
  • 2 [with adjective] the particular condition or state of someone or something:he was in no shape to drive the building was in poor shape
  • the distinctive nature or qualities of something:the future shape and direction of the country
  • definite or orderly arrangement:check that your structure will give shape to your essay

verb

[with object]
  • give a particular shape or form to:most caves are shaped by the flow of water through limestone shape the dough into two-inch balls
  • make (something) fit the form of something else: [with object and infinitive]:suits have been shaped to fit so snugly that no curve is undefined
  • determine the nature of; have a great influence on:his childhood was shaped by a loving relationship with his elder brother
  • [no object] develop in a particular way; progress:the yacht was shaping well in trials
  • form or produce (a sound or words).

Phrases

get into shape (or get someone into shape)

become (or make someone) physically fitter by exercise:if you’re thinking of getting into shape, take it easy and build up slowly

in any (way) shape or form

in any manner or under any circumstances (used for emphasis):96 percent of the electorate voted against Europeanization in any shape or form

in (good) shape

in good physical condition.

in the shape of

represented or embodied by:retribution arrived in the shape of my irate father

whip (or knock or lick) someone/something into shape

act forcefully to bring someone or something into a fitter, more efficient, or better organized state:a man who whips a chamber orchestra into shape

out of shape

  • 1(of an object) not having its usual or original shape, especially after being bent or knocked:check that the pipe end and compression nut are not bent out of shape
  • 2(of a person) in poor physical condition; unfit.

the shape of things to come

the way the future is likely to develop.
[the title of a novel by H. G. Wells (1933)]

shape up or ship out

informal, chiefly North American used as an ultimatum to someone to improve their performance or behavior or face being made to leave.

take shape

assume a distinct form; develop into something definite or tangible:the past few months have seen the state’s health insurance legislation begin to take shape

Phrasal Verbs

shape up

develop or happen in a particular way:it was shaping up to be another bleak year
informal improve performance or behavior:we have never been afraid to tell our children to shape up
become physically fit:I need to shape up

Derivatives

shapable

(also shapeable) adjective

shaped

adjective
[usually in combination]:egg-shaped X-shaped

shaper

noun

Origin:

Old English gesceap 'external form', also 'creation', sceppan 'create', of Germanic origin

shape in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of shape in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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