shape

[ sheyp ]

/ ʃeɪp /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR shape ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

this quality as found in some individual object or body form: This lake has a peculiar shape.

something seen in outline, as in silhouette: A vague shape appeared through the mist.

an imaginary form; phantom.

an assumed appearance; guise: an angel in the shape of a woman.

a particular or definite organized form or expression: He could give no shape to his ideas.

proper form; orderly arrangement.

condition or state of repair: The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.

the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence: What will the shape of the future be?

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.

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

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

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, shap·ing.

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

to couch or express in words: to shape a statement.

to adjust; adapt: He shaped everything to suit his taste.

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

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

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.

Obsolete. to appoint; decree.

verb (used without object), shaped, shap·ing.

to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way: If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.

Verb Phrases

shape up,

to assume a specific form: The plan is beginning to shape up.
to evolve or develop, especially favorably.
to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.
to get oneself into good physical condition.
(of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.

Idioms for shape

take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite: The house is beginning to take shape.

Origin of shape

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dial. shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (v.) 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

SYNONYMS FOR shape

1 silhouette, appearance. See form.

4 specter, illusion.

7 order, pattern.

8 order, situation.

14 mold, model.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR shape ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM shape

shap·a·ble, shape·a·ble, adjective out·shape, verb (used with object), out·shaped, out·shap·ing. pre·shape, noun, verb (used with object), pre·shaped, pre·shap·ing. trans·shape, verb (used with object), trans·shaped, trans·shap·ing.

un·shap·a·ble, adjective un·shape·a·ble, adjective un·shap·ing, adjective

Words nearby shape

shanty, shantytown, shanxi, shaoxing, shaoyang, shape, shape note, shape up, shape-note singing, shape-up, shaped

British Dictionary definitions for take shape (1 of 2)

shape

/ (ʃeɪp) /

noun

the outward form of an object defined by outline

the figure or outline of the body of a person

a phantom

organized or definite form my plans are taking shape

the form that anything assumes; guise

something used to provide or define form; pattern; mould

condition or state of efficiency to be in good shape

out of shape

in bad physical condition
bent, twisted, or deformed

take shape to assume a definite form

verb

(when intr, often foll by into or up) to receive or cause to receive shape or form

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

(tr) to plan, devise, or prepare to shape a plan of action

an obsolete word for appoint

Derived forms of shape

shapable or shapeable, adjective shaper, noun

Word Origin for shape

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

British Dictionary definitions for take shape (2 of 2)

SHAPE

/ (ʃeɪp) /

n acronym for

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

Idioms and Phrases with take shape (1 of 2)

take shape

Also, shape up. Turn out, develop, acquire a distinctive form, as in Her reelection campaign is already taking shape, two years before the election, or Can you tell us how the book is shaping up? The first term dates from the mid-1700s and the variant, originally put as shape out, from about 1600.

Idioms and Phrases with take shape (2 of 2)

shape

In addition to the idiom beginning with shape

shape up

also see:

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

shape

noun

verb (used with object), shaped, shap·ing.

verb (used without object), shaped, shap·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for shape

Origin of shape

SYNONYMS FOR shape

OTHER WORDS FROM shape

Words nearby shape

British Dictionary definitions for take shape (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of shape

Word Origin for shape

British Dictionary definitions for take shape (2 of 2)

n acronym for

Idioms and Phrases with take shape (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with take shape (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

shape

noun

verb (used with object), shaped, shap·ing.

verb (used without object), shaped, shap·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for shape

Origin of shape

SYNONYMS FOR shape

OTHER WORDS FROM shape

Words nearby shape

Words related to take shape

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for take shape (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of shape

Word Origin for shape

British Dictionary definitions for take shape (2 of 2)

n acronym for

Idioms and Phrases with take shape (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with take shape (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for take shape (1 of 2)