Shape | Mean of shape in English Dictionary

/ˈʃeɪp/

• Noun
• the form or outline of an object
1. circles, squares, triangles, and other geometric shapes
2. The cake has a rectangular/circular shape.
3. The pieces came in many different sizes and shapes.
4. a cookie in the shape of a heart [=a cookie shaped like a heart]
5. The cloud took the shape of a dog. [=the cloud looked like a dog]
6. The pieces were sorted by size and shape.
7. The cloud kept changing shape.
8. The cake was rectangular/circular in shape.
9. The bike's rim was bent out of shape. [=it was bent so that it was not its usual round shape]
• the condition of something or someone
1. The car was in good/bad/poor shape.
2. He's in better/worse shape now.
3. All the players are in top/excellent shape.
4. She has had quite a few glasses of wine and is in no shape to drive. [=she shouldn't drive because she has drunk too much wine]
5. Their marriage is in bad/good shape.
• a physically strong and healthy condition
1. I need to start exercising and get back in shape.
2. I'm out of shape because I haven't been exercising.
3. The players were in poor condition, but the coach quickly whipped/licked/knocked/got them into shape.
4. She stays/keeps in shape by exercising daily and eating well.
5. It will cost billions of dollars to get the company back in shape. [=back into good condition]

• the way something is done
1. Computer technology has changed the shape of communication.
2. They offered help in the shape of [=in the form of] a loan. [=the help they offered was a loan]
3. That behavior is not acceptable in any way, shape, or form. [=it is not at all acceptable]
4. Another newspaper has stopped publication. Is this the shape of things to come in the newspaper business? [=is this what the future of the newspaper business is going to be like?]
• a definite form or arrangement of something
1. The plan is finally taking shape.
2. His discussions with fellow professors and his students gave shape to his book.
• a person or thing that cannot be seen clearly
1. I saw a vague shape [=figure] in the dark.
2. dark shapes moving in the shadows
• Verb
• to give a particular form or shape to (something)
1. The artist shaped the stone with a hammer and chisel.
2. Shape the dough into loaves.
• to influence the development of (something)
1. Schools shape the minds of future leaders.
2. Ads help shape public opinion.
• to make (something, such as a plan) by a process of careful thought
1. They have shaped [=devised] a careful strategy for winning the election.
• to happen or develop in a particular way
1. Our plans are shaping up nicely.
2. This is shaping up to be an exciting year. [=it looks like this will be an exciting year]
• to start behaving in a better or more acceptable way
1. You'd better shape up and start studying.
2. If he doesn't shape up, he's going to be fired.
• to cause (someone or something) to start behaving in a better or more acceptable way
1. She has really shaped up the sales department.
• to make your body stronger and healthier by exercising
1. He has been shaping up at the gym.