shipshape

American  

[ship-shayp] / ˈʃɪpˌʃeɪp /

adjective

1. in good order; well-arranged; trim or tidy.

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adverb

1. in a shipshape manner.

shipshape British  

/ ˈʃɪpˌʃeɪp /

adjective

1. neat; orderly

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adverb

1. in a neat and orderly manner

Etymology

Origin of shipshape

First recorded in 1635–45; ship ¹ + shape

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shipshape

Two months later, on Nov. 15, 1856, Neptune’s Car, gleaming and shipshape, enters the harbor of San Francisco.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025

The other park, not far up the coast, was as perky and clean-cut as a barbershop quartet, painted the colors of sand and sky, with shipshape and jaunty ocean-inspired adventures, and zippy, futuristic, razzle-dazzle rides.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2025

But there is a catch: Taxpayers are paying millions to keep the yachts shipshape.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 5, 2023

Simply keeping the Amadea shipshape comes at vast expense, with annual running costs estimated at £25m or more.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2022

“Well, looks like everything’s mostly shipshape and Bristol fashion, luvvy,” said Miss Forcible.

From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman

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