Meaning of “shape” in the English Dictionary

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"shape" in English

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shapenoun

uk ​ /ʃeɪp/ us ​ /ʃeɪp/

shape noun (FORM)

B1 [ C or U ] the particular physical form or appearance of something:

Clay can be moulded into almost any shape.
These bricks are all different shapes.
Kim's birthday cake was in the shape of a train.
Our table is oval in shape.
My bicycle wheel is bent out of shape.
This T-shirt has been washed so many times that it's lost its shape (= has become loose and lost its form).

B1 [ C ] an arrangement that is formed by joining lines together in a particular way or by the line or lines around its outer edge:

a round/square/circular/oblong shape
A triangle is a shape with three sides.
The children made patterns by sticking coloured shapes onto paper.

› [ C ] the physical form or appearance of a particular person or thing:

In the story, Faust is tempted by the Devil, who has taken the shape of a man.
Life on earth takes many shapes.

› [ C ] a person or object that you cannot see clearly because it is too dark, or because the person or object is too far away:

I could see a dark shape in the street outside.
all shapes and sizes

C2 many different types:

We sell all shapes and sizes of teddy bear.
Cars come in all shapes and sizes.
in any shape or form

› of any type:

I'm opposed to war in any shape or form.

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shape noun (CONDITION)

B2 [ U ] condition, or state of health:

He bought up businesses that were in bad/poor shape, and then sold them off piece by piece.
"How are you?" "Oh, I'm in great shape."
You're in no shape (= not in a good enough state of health) to go to work today.

B2 [ U ] good physical condition:

It's taken us five years to get our house into shape.
She runs six miles every day to help keep herself in shape.
I haven't had any exercise for weeks, and I'm really out of shape (= not in good physical condition).

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Idiom(s)

be in good shape
in the shape of sth
knock/lick sth/sb into shape
the shape of things to come
take shape
throw shapes

shapeverb [ T ]

uk ​ /ʃeɪp/ us ​ /ʃeɪp/

shape verb [ T ] (CHARACTER)

C2 to decide or influence the form of something, especially a belief or idea, or someone's character:

Many people are not able to shape their own destinies.
My relationship with my father played a major part in shaping my attitude towards men.
He was very influential in shaping the country's economic policy/strategy.

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shape verb [ T ] (FORM)

› to make something become a particular shape:

The skirt has been shaped so that it hangs loosely.
When you've made the dough, shape it into two loaves.

› formal to make an object from a physical substance:

Early humans shaped tools out of stone.

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Phrasal verb(s)

shape up

(Definition of “shape” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"shape" in American English

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shapenoun

us ​ /ʃeɪp/

shape noun (APPEARANCE)

› [ C/U ] the particular way something looks as a whole:

[ U ] Our table is oval in shape.
[ C ] The birthday cake for Luis was in the shape of a heart.
[ U ] These old sweatpants are all stretched out of shape (= changed from their original form).

› art [ C/U ] A shape is also an arrangement that is formed by joining lines together in a particular way:

[ C ] A triangle is a shape with three sides.

› [ C/U ] A shape is also a person or object that you cannot see clearly because it is too dark, or because the person or object is too far away.

shape noun (CONDITION)

› [ U ] (of a thing) condition, or (of a person) state of health:

The city’s finances are in bad shape.
I keep myself in good shape by running five miles a day.

› [ U ] Shape can also mean good physical condition:

He’s in/out of shape (= in good/not in good condition).
I try to stay in shape.

shape noun (FORM)

› [ U ] the way something is organized; the general character or nature of something:

The governor’s new program is finally beginning to take shape (= become better organized).

shapeverb [ T ]

us ​ /ʃeɪp/

shape verb [ T ] (FORM)

› to cause something to have a particular character or nature; form:

We’re worried that they will try to shape the issue in a way that doesn't reflect what’s really going on.
He had a major influence in shaping the government’s economic policies.

shape verb [ T ] (APPEARANCE)

› to make something look a particular way:

Shape the dough into balls.

Phrasal verb(s)

shape up
shape up

(Definition of “shape” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"shape" in Business English

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shapenoun [ U or S ]

uk ​ /ʃeɪp/ us ​

› the way that something is organized, or its general character or nature:

the shape of sth Technological developments have changed the shape of industry.
We need to change the whole shape of our ad campaign.

› the condition something is in, or how strong something is:

in good/great shape Our investments sailed through the recent downturn in fairly good shape with a diversified base.
in bad/poor/terrible shape
in no shape to do sth You should stay in bed; you're in no shape to go to work today.

(Definition of “shape” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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