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 /

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
   1. in bad physical condition
   2. bent, twisted, or deformed
9. 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. an obsolete word for appoint

SHAPE

²

/ ʃeɪp /

acronym for

1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

Derived Forms

• ˈshaper, noun
• ˈshapable, adjective

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

But the preceding decades had permanently and profoundly shaped the nation's consciousness.

From BBC

According to Armstrong, settler-colonial efforts to systematically separate Indigenous peoples from their land and suppress traditional knowledge have obscured the role humans played in shaping the landscape.

From Science Daily

For example, Darwin's finches illustrate how such changes can manifest: They have evolved different beak shapes adapted to various food supplies available on the Galápagos Island.

From Science Daily

They will also investigate how these structures emerge during development and are shaped across adult lives.

From Science Daily

Normally, aPKC enzymes are best known for helping maintain the unique shape and structure of cells in different tissues to help facilitate their specialized functions, known as cell polarity.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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