shapenoun
uk/ʃeɪp/us/ʃeɪp/shape noun (FORM)
B1 [ C or U ] the particular physical form or appearance of something:
B1 [ C ] an arrangement that is formed by joining lines together in a particular way or by the line or lines around its outer edge:
[ C ] the physical form or appearance of a particular person or thing:
[ C ] a person or object that you cannot see clearly because it is too dark, or because the person or object is too far away:
C2 many different types:
of any type:
More examples
- We could see a dim shape in the fog.
- Ask a grown-up to cut the shape out for you.
- Those seven bright stars make the shape of a saucepan.
- This substance stretches to any shape you want.
- A heart shape is the symbol of love.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Patterns and shapes
- amorphous
- arabesque
- argyle
- bar
- cake
- contour
- geometry
- marbled
- misshapen
- motif
- mottled
- paisley
- silhouette
- spotted
- streak
- stripe
- striped
- stripy
- styloid
- take shape idiom
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shape noun (CHARACTER)
[ U ] the way something is organized, or its general character or nature:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Conditions and characteristics
- -ance
- -ancy
- ability
- ambience
- attribute
- character
- complexion
- condition
- detail
- feature
- hallmark
- karma
- lineament
- local colour
- middle name
- mien
- nature
- resonate
- savour
- smack
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shape noun (CONDITION)
B2 [ U ] condition, or state of health:
B2 [ U ] good physical condition:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Health in general
- attachment
- constitution
- constitutional
- constitutionally
- health
- healthful
- healthy
- hygiene
- hygienic
- public health
- sanitary
- sanitation
- unclean
- welfare
- well-being
- wellness
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Idiom(s)
shapeverb [ T ]
uk/ʃeɪp/us/ʃeɪp/shape verb [ T ] (CHARACTER)
C2 to decide or influence the form of something, especially a belief or idea, or someone's character:
More examples
- Our national identity has been shaped by our history.
- A child's character is in part shaped by the schools he or she attends.
- We are all shaped by our experiences.
- My whole outlook has been shaped by my relationship with him.
- She felt that her destiny had been shaped by her gender.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Affecting and influencing
- across-the-board
- act
- affect
- applicability
- be/fall under sb's influence/spell idiom
- bear on sth
- cross
- force
- inroad
- inspiration
- instrumental
- jerk
- lead 1
- leave your/its mark on sb/sth idiom
- thing
- tilt the balance/scales idiom
- turn sb's head idiom
- unlock
- warp
- work against/for sb
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shape verb [ T ] (FORM)
to make something become a particular shape:
formal to make an object from a physical substance:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Patterns and shapes
- amorphous
- arabesque
- argyle
- bar
- cake
- contour
- geometry
- marbled
- misshapen
- motif
- mottled
- paisley
- silhouette
- spotted
- streak
- stripe
- striped
- stripy
- styloid
- take shape idiom
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: