Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense shapes, present participle shaping, past tense, past participle shaped
1. countable noun [oft inNOUN]
The shapeof an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square, curved, or fat.
Each mirror is made to order and can be designed to almost any shape or size.
...little pens in the shape of baseball bats. [+ of]
The glass bottle is the shape of a woman's torso.
...sofas and chairs of contrasting shapes and colours.
The buds are conical or pyramidal in shape.
These bras should be handwashed to help them keep their shape.
Walking is extremely beneficial to your body shape.
Synonyms: appearance, form, aspect, guise More Synonyms of shape
2. countable noun
You can refer to something that you can see as a shape if you cannot see it clearly, or if its outline is the clearest or most striking aspect of it.
The great grey shape of a tank rolled out of the village.
Lying in bed we often see dark shapes of herons silhouetted against the moon. [+ of]
3. countable noun
A shape is a space enclosed by an outline, for example a circle, a square, or a triangle.
...if you imagine a sort of a kidney shape.
He suggested that the shapes represented a map of Britain and Ireland.
4. singular noun
The shapeof something that is planned or organized is its structure and character.
The last two weeks have seen a lot of talk about the future shape of Europe. [+ of]
Ultimately, we can change the shape of people's lives.
5. verb
Someone or something that shapes a situation or an activity has a very great influence on the way it develops.
Their views provide an insight into how environmental issues are shaping the futureof business. [VERB noun]
Like it or not, our families shape our lives and make us what we are. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: form, affect, influence, make More Synonyms of shape
6. verb
If you shape an object, you give it a particular shape, using your hands or a tool.
Cut the dough in half and shape each half into a loaf. [VERB noun + into]
...machinery for shaping the plutonium core of nuclear weapons. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: mould, form, make, fashion More Synonyms of shape
7. See also shaped
8.
See the shape of things to come
9.
See in any shape or form
10.
See in good shape
11.
See in the shape of
12.
See to lick into shape
13.
See out of shape
14.
See out of shape
15.
See comes in all shapes and sizes
16.
See take shape
Phrasal verbs:
See shape up
More Synonyms of shape
shape in British English
(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
9. take shape
verb
10. (whenintr, often foll by into or up)
to receive or cause to receive shape or form
11. (transitive)
to mould into a particular pattern or form; modify
12. (transitive)
to plan, devise, or prepare
to shape a plan of action
13. an obsolete word for appoint
Derived forms
shapable (ˈshapable) or shapeable (ˈshapeable)
adjective
shaper (ˈshaper)
noun
Word origin
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
SHAPE in British English
(ʃeɪp)
noun acronym for
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
SHAPE in American English
(ʃeɪp)
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe
shape in American English
(ʃeɪp)
noun
1.
that quality of a thing which depends on the relative position of all points composing its outline or external surface; physical or spatial form
2.
the form characteristic of a particular person or thing, or class of things
3.
the contour of the body, exclusive of the face; figure
4.
assumed or feigned appearance; guise
a foe in the shape of a friend
5.
an imaginary or spectral form; phantom
6.
something having a particular shape, used as a mold or basis for shaping or fashioning
7.
any of the forms, structures, etc. in which a thing may exist
dangers of every shape
8.
definite, regular, or suitable form; orderly arrangement
to begin to take shape
9. US
a.
condition; state, esp. of health
a patient in poor shape
b.
good physical condition
exercises that keep one in shape
verb transitiveWord forms: shaped or ˈshaping
10.
to give definite shape to; make, as by cutting or molding material
11.
to arrange, fashion, express, or devise (a plan, answer, etc.) in definite form
12.
to adapt or adjust
to shape one's plans to one's abilities
13.
to direct or conduct (one's life, the course of events, etc.)
14. Obsolete
to appoint or decree
verb intransitive
15. Obsolete
to become suited; conform
16. Rare
to happen
17. Informal
to take shape or form
often with into or up
SIMILAR WORDS: form, make
Idioms:
out of shape
shape up
take shape
Derived forms
shaper (ˈshaper)
noun
Word origin
ME schap < OE (ge)sceap, form, created thing, akin to scieppan, to create, form < IE *skeb-, var. of base *(s)kep-, to cut with a sharp tool > shaft, shave
More idioms containing
shape
knock something into shape
shape up or ship out
COBUILD Collocations
shape
classic shape
decent shape
different shape
perfect shape
simple shape
Examples of 'shape' in a sentence
shape
These are usually either white or clear plastic and are normally square in shape.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Your mind works faster and the plans that take shape give you much to look forward to.
The Sun (2012)
We expect people to shape their own careers based on their experiences.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Our characters are shaped by all the experiences we have in life.
The Sun (2014)
Striker looks in good shape after netting two goals in last two games.
The Sun (2006)
We changed shape and brought on another striker.
The Sun (2013)
This has shaped the way we view life.
Christianity Today (2000)
They make them for a certain body shape.
The Sun (2013)
She is in very good shape and looks great.
The Sun (2010)
Society can take many forms and shapes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Try it for yourself with objects of all shapes and sizes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Finally he cast this shape in glass.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Divide the mixture in half and shape into two patties.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Exports come in many shapes and sizes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The basic shapes and structure of the composition are the first essentials.
Bulgin, Sally Acrylics Masterclass (1994)
We now learn that two of the great shaping forces of humanity were responsible for her disappearance.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The clothes enveloped her entire figure but stroked against her body so that her shape was outlined.
Aidan Hartley THE ZANZIBAR CHEST: A Memoir of Love and War (2003)
The wooded cliffs on the far side were in bad shape.
Page, Russell The Education of a Gardener (1994)
We want to be an intelligent design engineering company to shape the future of the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But why do they tend to be circular as opposed to square shaped?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
People are hungry for anything which gives their lives shape and sense of purpose.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He builds artificial bottoms that cost the same as a family car and come in almost as many shapes and sizes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Since the arrival of modern engineering techniques, which allow almost any shape of building to be made, he said these problems had got worse.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
shape
British English: shape /ʃeɪp/ NOUN
The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the form or pattern of its outline.
...a keyring in the shape of a fish.
American English: shape
Arabic: شَكْل
Brazilian Portuguese: formato
Chinese: 形状
Croatian: oblik
Czech: tvar
Danish: form
Dutch: vorm voorwerp
European Spanish: forma contorno
Finnish: muoto
French: forme
German: Form
Greek: σχήμα
Italian: forma
Japanese: 形
Korean: 모양
Norwegian: fasong
Polish: kształt
European Portuguese: forma
Romanian: formă
Russian: форма
Latin American Spanish: forma
Swedish: form skepnad
Thai: รูปร่าง
Turkish: şekil
Ukrainian: форма
Vietnamese: hình thù
British English: shape VERB
Someone or something that shapes a situation or an activity has a very great influence on the way it develops.
Leaders are meeting to discuss their role in shaping the future of the country.
American English: shape
Brazilian Portuguese: moldar
Chinese: 塑造
European Spanish: formar
French: déterminer
German: gestalten
Italian: determinare
Japanese: 方向づける
Korean: 결정짓다
European Portuguese: moldar
Latin American Spanish: formar
All related terms of 'shape'
shape up
If something is shaping up , it is starting to develop or seems likely to happen .
take shape
When something takes shape , it develops or starts to appear in such a way that it becomes fairly clear what its final form will be.
classic shape
The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square , curved, or fat .
decent shape
Decent is used to describe something which is considered to be of an acceptable standard or quality.
perfect shape
The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square , curved, or fat .
shape culture
The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave .
shape history
You can refer to the events of the past as history . You can also refer to the past events which concern a particular topic or place as its history.
shape policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
shape-shifter
a creature or thing that can change shape at will or that does so under certain conditions
simple shape
The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square , curved, or fat .
different shape
The shape of an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round , square , curved , or fat .
out of shape
If something is out of shape , it is no longer in its proper or original shape, for example because it has been damaged or wrongly handled .
shape perceptions
Your perception of something is the way that you think about it or the impression you have of it.
in the shape of
You can use in the shape of to state exactly who or what you are referring to, immediately after referring to them in a general way.
lick into shape
to put into a satisfactory condition: from the former belief that bear cubs were born formless and had to be licked into shape by their mother
shape the outcome
The outcome of an activity, process, or situation is the situation that exists at the end of it.
whip into shape
to bring by vigorous action into the proper or desired condition
bent out of shape
very angry , upset , or agitated
in good shape in bad shape
If someone or something is in shape , or in good shape , they are in a good state of health or in a good condition . If they are in bad shape , they are in a bad state of health or in a bad condition.
in any shape or form
If you say , for example , that you will not accept something in any shape or form , or in any way , shape or form , you are emphasizing that you will not accept it in any circumstances .
shape up or ship out
said to mean that someone should start behaving in a more reasonable or responsible way, or else they should leave the place where they are or give up what they are doing
in shape in good shape in bad shape
If someone or something is in shape , or in good shape , they are in a good state of health or in a good condition . If they are in bad shape , they are in a bad state of health or in a bad condition.
knock something into shape
to use whatever methods are necessary to change or improve something, so that it is in the condition that you want it to be in
the shape of things to come
If you say that something is the shape of things to come , you mean that it is the start of a new trend or development , and in future things will be like this.
to lick into shape whip into shape to knock someone or something into shape
If you lick , knock , or whip someone or something into shape , you use whatever methods are necessary to change or improve them so that they are in the condition that you want them to be in.