shapely

[ sheyp-lee ]

adjective

, shape·li·er, shape·li·est.

1. having a pleasing shape, especially with reference to a woman's figure.

shapely

/ ˈʃeɪplɪ /

adjective

1. (esp of a woman's body or legs) pleasing or attractive in shape

Derived Forms

• ˈshapeliness, noun

Other Words From

• shapeli·ness noun
• un·shapeli·ness noun
• un·shapely adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shapely¹

1325–75; shape + -ly; replacing Middle English shaply, schaply; compare Old English gesceaplīce (adv.) fitly

Example Sentences

With a brushed fleece lining, it looks and feels as comfortable as any medium-weight sweatshirt that’s shapely, not tight.

From Outside Online

All of your favorite desserts require the right size pan for shapely and evenly-cooked results.

From Popular-Science

Orphans is a true literary relic: a small shapely paperback that is tough to track down, thanks to a limited print run.

From The Daily Beast

At 16, Jen is tall and shapely, a strong, pretty, lovable girl with a crazy grin and a powerful mind.

From The Daily Beast

There was also a play on oval shapes, which formed shapely panels on dresses, or seemingly encased the models.

From The Daily Beast

Would her ministrations to the military be taken differently if she was older, grayer and a little less shapely?

From The Daily Beast

All of them are beautiful and sexy by agreed standards (fit, slender yet shapely, big eyes, symmetrical features).

From The Daily Beast

As she left the wood she saw a big hay-stack, as firm and shapely of outline as a house, not a loose wisp anywhere.

From Project Gutenberg

The only thing that kept him awake was Sarah's shapely fingers moving deftly among the pages of the sacred book.

From Project Gutenberg

Her luxuriant chestnut hair, with frequent glints of gold entangled in its meshes, waved naturally all over her shapely head.

From Project Gutenberg

The other chuckled softly, then waved his hand towards a group of shapely cottages off at the right.

From Project Gutenberg

It 148 was rather the parable of family life that I read in this succession of fair faces and shapely bodies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comely
• curvaceous
• elegant
• graceful
• pleasing
• rounded