shape

¹ American  

[sheyp] / ʃeɪp /

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.

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verb (used with object)

shaped, shaping

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, shaping

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. shape up

   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.

idioms

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

   The house is beginning to take shape.

SHAPE ² American  

[sheyp] / ʃeɪp /

Or Shape

noun

1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.

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shape ¹ British  

/ 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. 1. in bad physical condition

   2. bent, twisted, or deformed

9. to assume a definite form

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verb

1. 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. an obsolete word for appoint

SHAPE ² British  

/ ʃeɪp /

acronym

1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

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shape More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing shape

• bent out of shape
• in condition (shape)
• lick into shape
• take shape

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Related Words

See form.

Other Word Forms

• outshape verb (used with object)
• preshape noun
• shapable adjective
• shapeable adjective
• shaper noun
• transshape verb (used with object)
• unshapable adjective
• unshapeable adjective
• unshaping adjective

Etymology

Origin of shape

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”

Explanation

The form of something gives it its shape. Basic shapes include the square, the circle, and the triangle. You may have a nose the shape of a ski slope. When you admire someone's shape, you're admiring their form, or their body. When you're out of shape or vowing to get back into shape, you're using shape to refer to your physical stamina or overall health. You can shape something by giving it form, as in "shape the dough into a braided twist," or influence someone, as in a teacher who shapes young minds.

Example Sentences

The forecast for expansion clubs Portland and Toronto won’t take shape until they finish building their rosters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“So they can piece together their 450 hours using their interests to shape what their curriculum looks like.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Their measurements showed that the superconducting region forms a toroidal, or doughnutlike, shape that surrounds a particular axis within the crystal.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Here, I like creamy, whole-fat; the kind that holds its shape on a spoon.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

The schoolhouse bell tower was a shape against the starry sky before I knew where we were.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

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