shape

noun

UK /ʃeɪp/

Word Forms

singular	shape
plural	shapes

1
countable/uncountable the outer form of something
The room forms an L-shape.
Trace the shape onto the card and cut it out.
all shapes and sizes:
There were balloons of all shapes and sizes in the sky.
in the shape of:
a flowerbed in the shape of a cross
Synonyms and related words
The outer parts of objects or spaces
apex
back
back end
1. 1a
  the usual or original outer form of something
  Her curls lost their shape and became frizzy.
  The front wheel of my bike is bent out of shape.
  Synonyms and related words
  The outer parts of objects or spaces
  apex
  back
  back end
2
countable something that you cannot see well because it is far away or there is not enough light
Ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog.
Synonyms and related words
General words for shape
shape
form
formation
3
uncountable the condition of something, especially in relation to its ability to be effective or successful
The economy is in bad shape.
Synonyms and related words
The condition of something
state
condition
composition
1. 3a
  how healthy or fit someone is
  He’s in a lot better shape since he’s changed his diet.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for health
  health
  condition
  fitness
4
uncountable the features or qualities of something
It’s part of a plan to change the shape of local government.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
5
countable/uncountable the correct order, arrangement, or structure of something
Marie tried to find the right words to give shape to her ideas.
Synonyms and related words
General words for shape
shape
form
formation
6
throw some shapes
to dance to electronic music, especially while moving your arms and hands in an exaggerated way
Yes, even Heidi and I finally got down on to the floor to throw some shapes at the end.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 27/03/2012
Open Dictionary - March2012
7
throw shapes
to dance to popular music in a club
We could throw some shapes together.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 08/03/2017
Open Dictionary - March2017

phrases

in any shape or form

in many (different) shapes and forms

in/out of shape

in the shape of

lick/knock/whip someone/something into shape

the shape of things to come

take shape

shape

noun

US /ʃeɪp/

Word Forms

singular	shape
plural	shapes

1
countable/uncountable the outer form of something
The room forms an L-shape.
Trace the shape onto the card and cut it out.
all shapes and sizes:
There were balloons of all shapes and sizes in the sky.
in the shape of:
a flowerbed in the shape of a cross
Synonyms and related words
The outer parts of objects or spaces
apex
back
back end
1. 1a
  the usual or original outer form of something
  Her curls lost their shape and became frizzy.
  The front wheel of my bike is bent out of shape.
  Synonyms and related words
  The outer parts of objects or spaces
  apex
  back
  back end
2
countable something that you cannot see well because it is far away or there is not enough light
Ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog.
Synonyms and related words
General words for shape
shape
form
formation
3
uncountable the features or qualities of something
It’s part of a plan to change the shape of local government.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
4
uncountable the condition of something, especially in relation to its ability to be effective or successful
The economy is in bad shape.
Synonyms and related words
The condition of something
state
condition
composition
1. 4a
  how healthy or fit someone is
  He’s in a lot better shape since he’s changed his diet.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for health
  health
  condition
  fitness
5
countable/uncountable the correct order, arrangement, or structure of something
Marie tried to find the right words to give shape to her ideas.
Synonyms and related words
General words for shape
shape
form
formation
6
throw some shapes
to dance to electronic music, especially while moving your arms and hands in an exaggerated way
Yes, even Heidi and I finally got down on to the floor to throw some shapes at the end.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 27/03/2012
Open Dictionary - March2012
7
throw shapes
to dance to popular music in a club
We could throw some shapes together.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 08/03/2017
Open Dictionary - March2017

phrases

in any shape or form

in many (different) shapes and forms

in/out of shape

in the shape of

lick/knock/whip someone/something into shape

the shape of things to come

take shape

shape

verb transitive

UK /ʃeɪp/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	shape
he/she/it	shapes
present participle	shaping
past tense	shaped
past participle	shaped

1
to influence the way that a person, idea, or situation develops
His generation firmly believed they could shape the future.
Research findings are often used to shape Government policy.
We have all been shaped by our past experiences.
Synonyms and related words
To have an effect
shape
impact
affect
2
to form something into a particular shape
The blacksmith shapes farm tools on his anvil.
shape something into something:
Shape the mixture into cubes.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
shape
reshape
form

phrasal verbs

shape up

shape

verb transitive

US /ʃeɪp/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	shape
he/she/it	shapes
present participle	shaping
past tense	shaped
past participle	shaped

1
to influence the way that a person, idea, or situation develops
His generation firmly believed they could shape the future.
Research findings are often used to shape social policy.
We have all been shaped by our past experiences.
Synonyms and related words
To have an effect
affect
shape
impact
2
to form something into a particular shape
The blacksmith shapes farm tools on his anvil.
shape something into something:
Shape the mixture into cubes.
Synonyms and related words
To change the shape of something
reshape
open up
shape

phrasal verbs

shape up

shape ​‌‌‌

throw some shapes

throw shapes

shape ​‌‌‌

throw some shapes

throw shapes

shape ​‌‌

shape ​‌‌

shape

shape

shape

shape