shape

[ sheyp ]

/ ʃeɪp /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR shape ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

this quality as found in some individual object or body form: This lake has a peculiar shape.

something seen in outline, as in silhouette: A vague shape appeared through the mist.

an imaginary form; phantom.

an assumed appearance; guise: an angel in the shape of a woman.

a particular or definite organized form or expression: He could give no shape to his ideas.

proper form; orderly arrangement.

condition or state of repair: The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.

the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence: What will the shape of the future be?

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.

something used to give form, as a mold or a pattern.

Also called section. Building Trades, Metalworking. a flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.

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.

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

to couch or express in words: to shape a statement.

to adjust; adapt: He shaped everything to suit his taste.

to direct (one's course, future, etc.).

to file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.

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.

Obsolete. to appoint; decree.

verb (used without object), shaped, shap·ing.

to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way: If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.

Verb Phrases

shape up,

to assume a specific form: The plan is beginning to shape up.
to evolve or develop, especially favorably.
to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.
to get oneself into good physical condition.
(of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.

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salute

to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.

to wield power; exercise rule.

to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.

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Idioms for shape

take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite: The house is beginning to take shape.

Origin of shape

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dial. shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (v.) 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

SYNONYMS FOR shape

1 silhouette, appearance. See form.

4 specter, illusion.

7 order, pattern.

8 order, situation.

14 mold, model.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR shape ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM shape

shap·a·ble, shape·a·ble, adjectiveout·shape, verb (used with object), out·shaped, out·shap·ing.pre·shape, noun, verb (used with object), pre·shaped, pre·shap·ing.trans·shape, verb (used with object), trans·shaped, trans·shap·ing.

un·shap·a·ble, adjectiveun·shape·a·ble, adjectiveun·shap·ing, adjective

Words nearby shape

shanty, shantytown, shanxi, shaoxing, shaoyang, shape, shape note, shape up, shape-note singing, shape-up, shaped

Definition for shapes (2 of 2)

SHAPE

or Shape

[ sheyp ]

/ ʃeɪp /

noun

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for shapes

Thinking about, with all that is in the past and the way it shapes the present, how do you go forward into the future?
Tony Earley's Imaginary Friends|Mindy Farabee|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Peggy has a reputation for miraculously fitting women of all shapes and sizes, and she more than lives up to it.
New York's Sexiest Kosher Corsets|Emily Shire|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who shapes what the public comes to see as truth, and how truthful is that truth?
How the ‘Witch Hunt’ Myth Undermined American Justice|Jason Berry|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It shapes the beliefs of everyone, but gives power to the those of the favored group.
A Killer's Racist Rants|Jamelle Bouie|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Forming the shapes of the Lincoln Memorial and a cannon among others, Buckeye fans got an entertaining and educational show.
Exploding Whale, Black Friday and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|November 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As the skill increases, shapes with double curves and long or narrow necks may eventually be achieved.
Pottery, for Artists Craftsmen & Teachers|George J. Cox
So may have looked afrites or the shapes metamorphosed from the vapour of the fisherman's vase.
Roads of Destiny|O. Henry
The same law that shapes the earth and the stars shapes the snowflake.
The Log of the Sun|William Beebe
The shapes and faces that the hills of sand built round him were the play of excited fancy only.
Four Weird Tales|Algernon Blackwood
The shore was strewn with timber and pieces of plank of all shapes.
The Rival Crusoes|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for shapes (1 of 2)

shape

/ (ʃeɪp) /

noun

the outward form of an object defined by outline

the figure or outline of the body of a person

a phantom

organized or definite formmy plans are taking shape

the form that anything assumes; guise

something used to provide or define form; pattern; mould

condition or state of efficiencyto be in good shape

out of shape

in bad physical condition
bent, twisted, or deformed

take shape to assume a definite form

verb

(when intr, often foll by into or up) to receive or cause to receive shape or form

(tr) to mould into a particular pattern or form; modify

(tr) to plan, devise, or prepareto shape a plan of action

an obsolete word for appoint

Derived forms of shape

shapable or shapeable, adjectiveshaper, noun

Word Origin for shape

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

British Dictionary definitions for shapes (2 of 2)

SHAPE

/ (ʃeɪp) /

n acronym for

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with shapes

shape

In addition to the idiom beginning with shape

shape up

also see:

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

shape

noun

verb (used with object), shaped, shap·ing.