shape

¹

[sheyp]

noun

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

   Synonyms: appearance, silhouette

2. this quality as found in some individual object or body form.

   This lake has a peculiar shape.

3. something seen in outline, as in silhouette.

   A vague shape appeared through the mist.

4. an imaginary form; phantom.

   Synonyms: illusion, specter

5. an assumed appearance; guise.

   an angel in the shape of a woman.

6. a particular or definite organized form or expression.

   He could give no shape to his ideas.

7. proper form; orderly arrangement.

   Synonyms: pattern, order

8. condition or state of repair.

   The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.

   Synonyms: situation, order

9. the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence.

   What will the shape of the future be?

10. 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.

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

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

13. 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, shaping 

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

   Synonyms: model, mold

2. to couch or express in words.

   to shape a statement.

3. to adjust; adapt.

   He shaped everything to suit his taste.

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

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

6. 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.

7. Obsolete.,  to appoint; decree.

verb (used without object)

shaped, shaping 

1. to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way.

   If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.

verb phrase

1. shape up

   1. to assume a specific form.

      The plan is beginning to shape up.

   2. to evolve or develop, especially favorably.

   3. to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.

   4. to get oneself into good physical condition.

   5. (of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.

SHAPE

²

Or Shape

[sheyp]

noun

1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.

shape

¹

/ 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. 1. in bad physical condition

   2. bent, twisted, or deformed

9. to assume a definite form

verb

1. to receive or cause to receive shape or form

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

3. (tr) to plan, devise, or prepare

   to shape a plan of action

4. an obsolete word for appoint

SHAPE

²

/ ʃeɪp /

acronym

1. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

Other Word Forms

• shaper noun
• shapable adjective
• shapeable adjective
• outshape verb (used with object)
• preshape noun
• transshape verb (used with object)
• unshapable adjective
• unshapeable adjective
• unshaping adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shape¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dialectal shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap “state, mood”; (verb) 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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shape¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite.

   The house is beginning to take shape.

More idioms and phrases containing shape

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

Synonym Study

See form.

Example Sentences

More than 40 marks were painted inside the passage and tomb, including fingerprints, handprints, diamond shapes and circles, and large symbols on the internal lintels.

From BBC

"With the clock ticking towards the World Cup, now is the time for the German to demonstrate the shape, strategy and identity he wants his England team to have."

From BBC

History is written by the victors, goes the cliche, allowing them to shape a people’s sense of self and decide who’s important and who isn’t.

From Los Angeles Times

This incorrect information is shaping long-term health policy in the U.S. – which makes it urgent to correct the record.

From Salon

Thomas, the gentler of the two, draws most of Ray’s abuse, and it shapes him into a meek and easily frightened being.

From Salon

Related Words

• architecture 
• aspect 
• body 
• configuration 
• contour 
• format 
• frame 
• model 
• outline 
• pattern 
• shadow 
• silhouette