shape
SHAYP
Shape (noun) means the outline or form of something, defined by its outer edges or surface. Example: “The clouds formed the shape of a whale.”
noun
1
The outline or form of something, defined by its outer edges or surface.
"The clouds formed the shape of a whale."
"Cut the dough into star shapes before baking."
"The kite had the shape of a long, narrow diamond."
2
The general condition or state of something, especially physical fitness.
"He started running to get back in shape."
"The old car was in surprisingly good shape."
"After weeks of rest, the team were in great shape for the final."
verb
1
To give something a particular form, or to influence how it develops.
"Her childhood in the countryside shaped her love of nature."
"The sculptor shaped the clay into a rough figure."
"Good teachers help shape how young people think about the world."
How to use shape
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe form of an object, or the condition something is in — also used as a verb meaning to form or influence something.
Common pairings
in good shape
shape someone's future
take shape
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Word forms
- Plural
- shapes
- Third person singular
- shapes
- Past tense
- shaped, shope, shapen
- Archaic forms
- shapest, shapedst, shapeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The clouds formed the _____ of a whale.
Etymology
From Old English gesceap, "form, creation," related to an old Germanic root meaning "to create."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shape
See all rhymes for shape →Frequently asked questions
What does “shape” mean?
The word “shape” means the outline or form of something, defined by its outer edges or surface. In plain terms, the form of an object, or the condition something is in — also used as a verb meaning to form or influence something.
How do you pronounce “shape”?
“Shape” is pronounced SHAYP (/ˈʃeɪ̯p/ in IPA).
How do you use “shape” in a sentence?
Here is “shape” used in a sentence: “The clouds formed the shape of a whale.”
What is another word for “shape”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shape” include form, Gestalt, mold and shapen.
What part of speech is “shape”?
Depending on how it is used, “shape” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shape” come from?
The word “shape” comes from Old English. From Old English gesceap, "form, creation," related to an old Germanic root meaning "to create.".
Is “shape” a common word?
“Shape” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “shape” have?
“Shape” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the outline or form of something, defined by its outer edges or surface.
What is the difference between shape and form?
Shape usually refers to a flat, two-dimensional outline, such as a circle or square. Form suggests three-dimensional volume and structure, like a sphere or cube. In everyday speech the words overlap, but form implies the mass and depth that a simple outline, or shape, does not.
What are the basic types of shapes?
Shapes divide into two-dimensional shapes — squares, circles, triangles, rectangles — and three-dimensional shapes such as cubes, spheres, and pyramids. They are also grouped as geometric shapes, with precise, regular edges, and organic shapes, which are free-flowing and irregular, like the outline of a leaf.
What is an example of a shape?
A circle, square, triangle, star, or heart are all shapes. Real objects have shapes too — a ball is round, a book is rectangular, and a slice of pizza is triangular. Any outline defined by an object's edges or surface counts as its shape.
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