26984 words

shapes

22 definitions • 45 examples
1
the particular physical form or appearance of something:

Examples:

Clay can be moulded into almost any shape.
These bricks are all different shapes.
in the shape of Kim's birthday cake was in the shape of a train.
in shape Our table is oval in shape.
out of shape My bicycle wheel is bent out of shape.
lose its shape This T-shirt has been washed so many times that it's lost its shape (= has become loose and lost its form).
2
an arrangement that is formed by joining lines together in a particular way or by the line or lines around its outer edge:

Examples:

A triangle is a shape with three sides.
The children made patterns by sticking coloured shapes onto paper.
3
the physical form or appearance of a particular person or thing:

Examples:

take the shape of In the story, Faust is tempted by the Devil, who has taken the shape of a man.
take a shape Life on earth takes many shapes.
4
a person or object that you cannot see clearly because it is too dark, or because the person or object is too far away:

Examples:

I could see a dark shape in the street outside.
5
many different types:

Examples:

all shapes and sizes of We sell all shapes and sizes of teddy bear.
6
of any type:

Examples:

I'm opposed to war in any shape or form.
7
the way something is organized, or its general character or nature:

Examples:

We need to change the whole shape of our campaign.
8

Examples:

in bad/poor/etc. shape He bought up businesses that were in bad/poor shape, and then sold them off piece by piece.
in great shape "How are you?" "Oh, I'm in great shape."
in no shape to You're in no shape (= not in a good enough state of health) to go to work today.
9

Examples:

get something into shape It's taken us five years to get our house into shape.
in shape She runs six miles every day to help keep herself in shape.
out of shape I haven't had any exercise for weeks, and I'm really out of shape (= not in good physical condition).
10
to decide or influence the form of something, especially a belief or idea, or someone's character:

Examples:

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.
11
to make something become a particular shape:

Examples:

The skirt has been shaped so that it hangs loosely.
shape something into something When you've made the dough, shape it into two loaves.
12
to make an object from a physical substance:

Examples:

shape something out of something Early humans shaped tools out of stone.
13
the particular way something looks as a whole:

Examples:

[ 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).
14
A shape is also an arrangement that is formed by joining lines together in a particular way:

Examples:

[ C ] A triangle is a shape with three sides.
15
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.
16
(of a thing) condition, or (of a person) state of health:

Examples:

The city’s finances are in bad shape.
I keep myself in good shape by running five miles a day.
17
Shape can also mean good physical condition:

Examples:

He’s in/out of shape (= in good/not in good condition).
I try to stay in shape.
18
the way something is organized; the general character or nature of something:

Examples:

The governor’s new program is finally beginning to take shape (= become better organized).
19
to cause something to have a particular character or nature; form:

Examples:

We’re worried that they will try to shape the issue in a way that doesn't reflect what’s really going on.
20
to make something look a particular way:

Examples:

Shape the dough into balls.
21
the way that something is organized, or its general character or nature:

Examples:

We need to change the whole shape of our ad campaign.
22
the condition something is in, or how strong something is:

Examples:

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

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