shape
[noun]
Synonyms:
- form, build, configuration, contours, figure, lines, outline, profile, silhouette
- pattern, frame, model, mould
- condition, fettle, health, state, trim
[verb]
Synonyms:
- form, create, fashion, make, model, mould, produce
- develop, adapt, devise, frame, modify, plan

---

Related Words: devise, plan, work up, tailor, appearance, aspect, look, semblance, state, whack

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

SHAPE /ʃeɪp/
abbreviation for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe; the place in Belgium where the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, one of the military commanders of NATO, is based

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

I. shape¹ S2 W2 /ʃeɪp/ noun
[Word Family: adjective: shapeless, shapely, misshapen; verb: shape; noun: shape; adverb: shapelessly]

1. ROUND/SQUARE ETC [uncountable and countable] the form that something has, for example round, square, triangular etc:
What shape is the table?
You can recognize a tree by the shape of its leaves.
round/square etc in shape
The dining room was square in shape.
His battered old hat had completely lost its shape.
in the shape of something
a silver pin in the shape of a large bird
The plants grow in every shape and size.
The children cut out shapes (=squares, triangles etc) from the piece of cardboard.
out of shape
The wheel had been bent out of shape.

2. HEALTH/CONDITION
a) in good/bad/poor etc shape in good, bad etc condition, or in good, bad etc health:
For an old car, it’s in pretty good shape.
The economy is in worse shape now than it was last year.
Kaplan seemed to be in better shape than either of us.
b) in shape/out of shape in a good or bad state of health or physical fitness ⇒ fit, unfit:
I was feeling totally out of shape.
I’ve got to get into shape before summer.
keep/stay in shape
She’s bought an exercise bike to keep in shape.
c) in no shape to do something to be sick, tired, drunk etc, and not able to do something well:
Mel was in no shape to drive home after the party.

3. knock/lick/get somebody/something into shape to make someone or something better so that they reach the necessary standard:
Some of them lack experience, but we’ll soon knock them into shape.

4. CHARACTER OF SOMETHING [singular] the way something looks, works, or is organized
shape of
Computers have completely changed the shape of our industry.
This new technique is the shape of things to come (=an example of the way things will develop in the future).

5. take shape to develop into a clear and definite form:
An idea was beginning to take shape in his mind.

6. in the shape of something used to explain what something consists of:
Help came in the shape of a $10,000 loan from his parents.

7. not in any shape or form (also not in any way, shape, or form) used to say that you will not accept something for any reason:
We will not tolerate racism in any shape or form.

8. THING NOT SEEN CLEARLY [countable] a thing or person that you cannot see clearly enough to recognize:
A dark shape moved behind them.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. shape² verb [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: shapeless, shapely, misshapen; verb: shape; noun: shape; adverb: shapelessly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: scieppan]

1. to influence something such as a belief, opinion etc and make it develop in a particular way:
People’s political beliefs are shaped by what they see in the papers.

2. to make something have a particular shape, especially by pressing it
shape something into something
Shape the dough into small balls.
egg-shaped/V-shaped etc
an L-shaped living room
shape up phrasal verb informal

1. to improve your behaviour or work:
You kids had better shape up, because I’m in no mood to fool around.

2. to make progress in a particular way:
Ken’s plans for the business are shaping up nicely.
shape up as
Immigration is shaping up as a major issue in the campaign.
shape up to be something
It’s shaping up to be a pretty big party.

3. shape up or ship out American English spoken used to tell someone that if they do not improve, they will be made to leave a place or their job

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

shape
noun
I. physical outline
ADJ. basic, simple The children cut the paper into various simple shapes.
characteristic, distinctive I recognized the distinctive shape of a Boeing-747.
curious, interesting, unusual, weird | awkward The desk was an awkward shape and wouldn't fit through the door.
original | geometric/geometrical, regular, symmetrical | complex | asymmetrical, irregular | odd, random tiles of random shape
solid, three-dimensional | aerodynamic | angular, arch, circular, cone/conical, cylindrical, diamond, dome, egg, elliptical, elongated, hemispherical, hexagonal, oblong, pentagonal, pointed, pyramid/pyramidal, rectangular, round, spherical, triangular, wedge | rounded, smooth | arrow, banana, cross, pear, star, T, etc. The road forms an L shape. The bruise was a sort of mushroom shape.
blurred, ghostly, shadowy, vague | huge, massive | black, dark, grey | human | body You can't change your natural body shape.
VERB + SHAPE cut out, draw, make, trace First draw the rough shape of your chosen animal. Fold the paper to make the shape of a cone.
cut sth into, make sth in, produce sth in a cheese similar to Brie but produced in a different shape
come in, have Tables come in various shapes.
assume, make, take on Ordinary things assumed different shapes in the mist.
keep, retain These garments will retain their shape even with repeated washing.
regain | change | lose | distort The wide-angle lens distorts shapes.
distinguish, make out, see I could just make out the shapes of animals in the field.
SHAPE + VERB appear, emerge, loom Ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog.
PREP. in the ~ of a doormat in the shape of a cat
PHRASES out of shape The bicycle had been battered out of shape.
oblong/rectangular/hexagonal, etc. in shape The island is roughly circular in shape.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

shape
II. structure/nature of sth
ADJ. general | changing | final | future
VERB + SHAPE alter, change, determine, influence He did much to determine the shape of Europe's political map at that time.
take A wonderful idea began to take shape in her brain.
give the words we use to give a shape to our feelings
PHRASES in any shape or form I can't stand insects in any shape or form.
the shape of things to come This revolutionary transport system could be the shape of things to come.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

shape
III. good or bad condition
ADJ. fine, good, great | bad, poor | physical He's 64, but he's in better physical shape than I am.
VERB + SHAPE get sb/sth into, knock/lick/whip sb/sth into Get your body into shape for the summer! Leave the boy with me?I'll soon knock him into shape!
be in, keep in, stay in You are in pretty good shape for your age. She likes to stay in shape.
be out of

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

shape
verb
ADV. profoundly Memory can be profoundly shaped by subsequent experience.
largely | actively, deliberately actively shaping the history of their country
VERB + SHAPE help (to)
PHRASES a part/role in shaping sth

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

shape
ʃeɪp
See: in shape , out of shape , take shape

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲