shape

¹

[ sheyp ]

noun

1. the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure.

   Synonyms: appearance, silhouette

2. this quality as found in some individual object or body form:

   This lake has a peculiar shape.

3. something seen in outline, as in silhouette:

   A vague shape appeared through the mist.

4. an imaginary form; phantom.

   Synonyms: illusion, specter

5. an assumed appearance; guise:

   an angel in the shape of a woman.

6. a particular or definite organized form or expression:

   He could give no shape to his ideas.

7. proper form; orderly arrangement.

   Synonyms: pattern, order

8. condition or state of repair:

   The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.

   Synonyms: situation, order

9. the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence:

   What will the shape of the future be?

10. the figure, physique, or body of a person, especially of a woman:

    A dancer can keep her shape longer than those of us who have sedentary jobs.

11. something used to give form, as a mold or a pattern.
12. Also called section. Building Trades, Metalworking. a flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.
13. Nautical. a ball, cone, drum, etc., used as a day signal, singly or in combinations, to designate a vessel at anchor or engaged in some particular operation.

verb (used with object)

, shaped, shap·ing.

1. to give definite form, shape, organization, or character to; fashion or form.

   Synonyms: model, mold

2. to couch or express in words:

   to shape a statement.

3. to adjust; adapt:

   He shaped everything to suit his taste.

4. to direct (one's course, future, etc.).
5. to file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.
6. Animal Behavior, Psychology. to teach (a desired behavior) to a human or other animal by successively rewarding the actions that more and more closely approximate that behavior.
7. Obsolete. to appoint; decree.

verb (used without object)

, shaped, shap·ing.

1. to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way:

   If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.

verb phrase

1. 1. to assume a specific form:

      The plan is beginning to shape up.

   2. to evolve or develop, especially favorably.
   3. to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.
   4. to get oneself into good physical condition.
   5. (of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.

SHAPE

²

or Shape

[ sheyp ]

noun

1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.

SHAPE

¹

/ ʃeɪp /

acronym for

1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

shape

²

/ ʃeɪp /

noun

1. the outward form of an object defined by outline
2. the figure or outline of the body of a person
3. a phantom
4. organized or definite form

   my plans are taking shape

5. the form that anything assumes; guise
6. something used to provide or define form; pattern; mould
7. condition or state of efficiency

   to be in good shape

8. out of shape
   out of shape
   1. in bad physical condition
   2. bent, twisted, or deformed
9. take shape
   take shape to assume a definite form

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by into or up to receive or cause to receive shape or form
2. tr to mould into a particular pattern or form; modify
3. tr to plan, devise, or prepare

   to shape a plan of action

4. See appoint
   an obsolete word for appoint

Derived Forms

• ˈshapable, adjective
• ˈshaper, noun

Other Words From

• shapa·ble shapea·ble adjective
• outshape verb (used with object) outshaped outshaping
• pre·shape noun verb (used with object) preshaped preshaping
• trans·shape verb (used with object) transshaped transshaping
• un·shapa·ble adjective
• un·shapea·ble adjective
• un·shaping adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shape¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dialectal shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap “state, mood”; (verb) Middle English; Old English sceapen (past participle); replacing Middle English sheppe, shippe, Old English sceppan, scyppan; cognate with German schaffen, Old Norse skepja, Gothic -skapjan “to make”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shape¹

Old English gesceap, literally: that which is created, from scieppan to create; related to sceap sexual organs, Old Norse skap destiny, Old High German scaf form

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite:

   The house is beginning to take shape.

More idioms and phrases containing shape

In addition to the idiom beginning with shape , also see bent out of shape ; in condition (shape) ; lick into shape ; take shape .

Synonym Study

See form.

Example Sentences

A chrome-plated steel nib writes smoothly and holds its shape for years.

From Popular-Science

We quickly realized that indexing problems come in all possible shapes and sizes.

From Search Engine Land

It is only connected to the collection of shapes and sounds that make up the word tree because we have all agreed that it is.

From Vox

One of Howell’s own studies, she and her team reported online in August in mSphere, suggests that fungal species in particular shape the metabolites — and thus aroma and flavor — in wine from different growing regions in Australia.

From Science News

I think it helped us connect, not to compare struggles, they’re all different, but to connect with a lot of different people who are in that struggle for belonging in some way, shape or form.

From Ozy

I mean, physically, mentally, you know, in every way, shape, and form.

From The Daily Beast

“Under Suleimani several military branches have taken shape [in Iraq] which are run by Iran and the Iranian military,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

“You were going to work your way into my marriage and you were going to call its new three-way shape holy” the narrator recounts.

From The Daily Beast

If you drink from a flute, do so from a tulip-shape one to concentrate the notes, Simonetti-Bryan says.

From The Daily Beast

The Babadook is the shape of grief: all-enveloping, shape-shifting, black, here intensely, terrifying, then gone.

From The Daily Beast

They are ovoid in shape, and lie in pairs, end to end, often forming short chains.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaves of a lanceolate form are the largest, and the shape of those found on most varieties of the American plant.

From Project Gutenberg

Microscopically, they are yellow or reddish-brown crystals, which differ greatly in size and shape.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the Goat, who evidently was not yet quite started, inquired, "Must all the halves be of the same shape?"

From Project Gutenberg

He was Honour's self, till he brought the serpent to his bosom, in the shape of his perfidious son.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• architecture
• aspect
• body
• configuration
• contour
• format
• frame
• model
• outline
• pattern
• shadow
• silhouette