misshapen

adjective

mis·​shap·​en ˌmis-ˈshā-pən 

1

: having an ugly or deformed shape

It is, in fact, a homely and misshapen little gray airplane that looks like it was cobbled together in someone's garage.

—Patricia Trenner

2

: morally or intellectually deformed or distorted

misshapen ideas of justice

misshapenly adverb

She has brought Trot, her mangy mongrel, with her. He lies misshapenly across her vast lap …

—John le Carré

misshapenness noun

… masterpieces of dullness, misshapenness, and folly …

—Louis Simpson

Synonyms

• distorted
• monstrous
• deformed

Examples of misshapen in a Sentence

the returning camper proudly presented his mother with a misshapen clay bowl that he had made in crafts class

Recent Examples on the Web

People with sickle cell disease produce misshapen red blood cells that can block blood flow to the rest of the body. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 9 July 2025

Over time, the foot becomes misshapen, and ulcers and serious infections can develop.1 What Is Charcot Foot? —Isabel Casimiro, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025

What Are the Symptoms of Bird Flu? In birds, symptoms of the infection include low energy and appetite, purple discoloration or swelling of body parts, fewer or misshapen eggs, a lack of coordination, and nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

Washing bras too often can affect the elastic and wires, leading to a misshapen bra. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misshapen

• shapen

Kids Definition

misshapen

adjective

mis·​shap·​en

(ˈ)mis-ˈshā-pən,

(ˈ)mish-

: badly shaped : having an ugly shape