pear-shaped
Americanadjective
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having the shape of a pear; tapering near the top and bulging toward the base or bottom.
a pear-shaped vase.
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(of a vocal tone) clear, resonant, and without harshness; full-bodied.
Etymology
Origin of pear-shaped
First recorded in 1750–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Westinghouse built the silver, pear-shaped device in 1937 and it became known as the “world’s first industrial atom smasher.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025
"I was doing really well until 22 miles when I blew it. I lost my balance and it all went a bit pear-shaped," he says.
From BBC ● May 4, 2025
The heartbreak-ballad specialist set off engagement rumors in February 2022 after wearing a pear-shaped diamond ring during an appearance on “The Graham Norton Show.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2023
They are small, pear-shaped insects that come in a variety of colors, from green, red and yellow to black, brown and gray.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 30, 2023
Security’s pear-shaped plush body and six of his black legs were hanging down Marshall’s back.
From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
