shape (shapes plural & 3rd person present) (shaping present participle) (shaped past tense & past participle )
1 n-count The shapeof an object, a person, or an area is the appearance of their outside edges or surfaces, for example whether they are round, square, curved, or fat.
oft N of n, also in N
Each mirror is made to order and can be designed to almost any shape or size., ...little pens in the shape of baseball bats..., ...sofas and chairs of contrasting shapes and colours..., The buds are conical or pyramidal in shape..., These bras should be handwashed to help them keep their shape...
2 n-count You can refer to something that you can see as a shape if you cannot see it clearly, or if its outline is the clearest or most striking aspect of it.
Lying in bed we often see dark shapes of herons silhouetted against the moon.
3 n-count A shape is a space enclosed by an outline, for example a circle, a square, or a triangle.
He suggested that the shapes represented a map of Britain and Ireland.
4 n-sing The shapeof something that is planned or organized is its structure and character.
usu N of n
The last two weeks have seen a lot of talk about the future shape of Europe...
5 verb Someone or something that shapes a situation or an activity has a very great influence on the way it develops.
Like it or not, our families shape our lives and make us what we are. V n
6 verb If you shape an object, you give it a particular shape, using your hands or a tool.
Cut the dough in half and shape each half into a loaf. V n into n
8 If you say that something is the shape of things to come, you mean that it is the start of a new trend or development, and in future things will be like this.
the shape of things to come phrase v-link PHR
British Rail says its new Liverpool Street station is the shape of things to come.
9 If you say, for example, that you will not accept something in any shape or form, or in any way, shape or form, you are emphasizing that you will not accept it in any circumstances.
in any shape or form phrase PHR after v (emphasis)
I don't condone violence in any shape or form...
10 If someone or something is in shape, or in good shape, they are in a good state of health or in a good condition. If they are in bad shape, they are in a bad state of health or in a bad condition.
in (good/bad) shape phrase PHR after v, v-link PHR
He was still in better shape than many young men..., The trees were in bad shape from dry rot.
11 You can use in the shape of to state exactly who or what you are referring to, immediately after referring to them in a general way.
in the shape of phrase PHR n
The Prime Minister found a surprise ally today in the shape of Jacques Delors, the Commission President...
12 If you lick, knock, or whip someone or something into shape, you use whatever methods are necessary to change or improve them so that they are in the condition that you want them to be in.
lick/knock/whip into shape phrase V inflects
You'll have four months in which to lick the recruits into shape...
13 If something is out of shape, it is no longer in its proper or original shape, for example because it has been damaged or wrongly handled.
out of shape phrase PHR after v
Once most wires are bent out of shape, they don't return to the original position.
14 If you are out of shape, you are unhealthy and unable to do a lot of physical activity without getting tired.
out of shape phrase v-link PHR
(=unfit) (Antonym: fit)
15 When something takes shape, it develops or starts to appear in such a way that it becomes fairly clear what its final form will be.
take shape phrase V inflects
In 1912 women's events were added, and the modern Olympic programme began to take shape. shape up
1 phrasal verb If something is shaping up, it is starting to develop or seems likely to happen.
There are also indications that a major tank battle may be shaping up for tonight... V P
The accident is already shaping up as a significant environmental disaster... V P as n
It's shaping up to be a terrible winter. V P to-inf, Also V P into n
2 phrasal verb If you ask how someone or something is shaping up, you want to know how well they are doing in a particular situation or activity.
I did have a few worries about how Hugh and I would shape up as parents... V P as n
Girls are being recruited now. I heard they are shaping up very well. V P adv
3 phrasal verb If you tell someone to shape up, you are telling them to start behaving in a sensible and responsible way.
It is no use simply to tell adolescents to shape up and do something useful. V P
