shaped; shaping
3
: to adapt in shape so as to fit neatly and closely
a dress shaped to her figure
5
a
: to make fit for (a particular use, purpose, etc.) : adapt
shape the questions to fit the answers
b
: to determine or direct the course or character of
events that shaped history
c
: to modify (behavior) by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired response
1
: to come to pass : happen
it's shaping up that I am known now for my husbands—
Leslie Marmon Silko
Leslie Marmon Silko2
: to take on or approach a mature or definite form
—often used with up
the summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record
shaper
noun
plural shapes
1
a
: the visible makeup characteristic of a particular item or kind of item
a cake in the shape of a Christmas tree
b(1)
: spatial form or contour
the clouds kept changing shape
(2)
: a standard or universally recognized spatial form
a stain in the shape of a perfect circle
2
: the appearance of the body as distinguished from that of the face : figure
3
a
: phantom, apparition
eerie shapes floating in the mist
b
: assumed appearance : guise
a trick-or-treater in the shape of a pumpkin
4
: form of embodiment
The plan is starting to come into shape.
see also take shape
5
: a mode of existence or form of being having identifying features
6
: a molded dessert
especially
: blancmange
7
: the condition in which someone or something exists at a particular time
the car was in fine shape
Synonyms
Examples of shape in a Sentence
Verb
The artist shaped the stone with a hammer and chisel.
Schools shape the minds of future leaders.
Ads help shape public opinion.
Noun
circles, squares, triangles, and other geometric shapes
The cake has a rectangular shape.
The pieces came in many different sizes and shapes.
The pieces were sorted by size and shape.
The cloud kept changing shape.
The cake was rectangular in shape.
I need to start exercising and get back in shape.
I'm out of shape because I haven't been exercising.
The players were in poor condition, but the coach quickly whipped them into shape.
She stays in shape by exercising daily and eating well.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebRex Nelson, Arkansas Online, 22 Sep. 2023
Landslides have shaped the Palos Verdes Peninsula for the last several generations, but recent damage to homes across the affluent area of the South Bay shows the earth is moving dramatically faster than in recent years.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
How the pandemic has shaped commuting in the D.C. area
The Virginia Railway Express is averaging about 6,400 riders daily, roughly one-third of pre-pandemic levels.
—Michael Laris, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Last online shopping purchase A wall light shaped like a dog that will go into our first live-scooping SMiZE & Dream ice cream shop in Los Angeles.
—Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Zenith Zenith first teamed up with British DJ, producer, and house music pioneer Carl Cox back in 2020 for a limited edition variation of its Defy watch with a carbon case, a small seconds indicator shaped like a vinyl record, and a bright red strap.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2023
The ends of the two logs had been deliberately shaped to have large notches that could be fitted together like the wooden building toys Lincoln Logs.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2023
Throughout the book, distance creates space for closeness, and that is most true in how the Incident shapes communication.
—Hazlitt, 20 Sep. 2023
Some of your favorite faces share the dos, dont's, lessons learned, and go-to beauty hacks that helped shape their skincare routines.
—Essence, 16 Sep. 2023
Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2023
Weight talk is any mention of your child's weight or body shape in front of them, or discussing someone else's, including your own.
—Julia Pelly, Parents, 22 Sep. 2023
The minuscule nib has a teardrop shape for artful sculpting and stealthy shading.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
The body slightly tapers giving a feminine shape with plenty of room to move.
—Vanessa Powell, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
L’Oréal Professionnel Techni Art Pli Shaper spray was used as a styling primer to give shape and memory to the hair while keeping a soft texture and natural feel.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023
In a statement, the Fed said the economy is in solid shape, with job gains slowing and tighter credit conditions likely to slow economic activity and stem inflation.
—Marley Jay, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2023
The resulting shape will be a box made of four squares.
7.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 20 Sep. 2023
There are no facts on the record to suggest that President Biden broke the law in any way, shape or form.
—ABC News, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
Verb
Spivey, a longtime outdoors enthusiast, also discusses growing up in Rogers and how those years shaped his love of sport.
—Rex Nelson, Arkansas Online, 22 Sep. 2023
Landslides have shaped the Palos Verdes Peninsula for the last several generations, but recent damage to homes across the affluent area of the South Bay shows the earth is moving dramatically faster than in recent years.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
How the pandemic has shaped commuting in the D.C. area
The Virginia Railway Express is averaging about 6,400 riders daily, roughly one-third of pre-pandemic levels.
—Michael Laris, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Last online shopping purchase A wall light shaped like a dog that will go into our first live-scooping SMiZE & Dream ice cream shop in Los Angeles.
—Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Zenith Zenith first teamed up with British DJ, producer, and house music pioneer Carl Cox back in 2020 for a limited edition variation of its Defy watch with a carbon case, a small seconds indicator shaped like a vinyl record, and a bright red strap.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2023
The ends of the two logs had been deliberately shaped to have large notches that could be fitted together like the wooden building toys Lincoln Logs.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2023
Throughout the book, distance creates space for closeness, and that is most true in how the Incident shapes communication.
—Hazlitt, 20 Sep. 2023
Some of your favorite faces share the dos, dont's, lessons learned, and go-to beauty hacks that helped shape their skincare routines.
—Essence, 16 Sep. 2023
Noun
What Could Be Better Over time, the throw blanket begins to lose its shape.
—Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2023
Weight talk is any mention of your child's weight or body shape in front of them, or discussing someone else's, including your own.
—Julia Pelly, Parents, 22 Sep. 2023
The minuscule nib has a teardrop shape for artful sculpting and stealthy shading.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
The body slightly tapers giving a feminine shape with plenty of room to move.
—Vanessa Powell, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
L’Oréal Professionnel Techni Art Pli Shaper spray was used as a styling primer to give shape and memory to the hair while keeping a soft texture and natural feel.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023
In a statement, the Fed said the economy is in solid shape, with job gains slowing and tighter credit conditions likely to slow economic activity and stem inflation.
—Marley Jay, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2023
The resulting shape will be a box made of four squares.
7.
—Sandra Gutierrez G., Popular Science, 20 Sep. 2023
There are no facts on the record to suggest that President Biden broke the law in any way, shape or form.
—ABC News, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Old English sceapen, gescapen, past participle of scieppan; akin to Old High German skepfen to shape
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of shape was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing shape
Articles Related to shape
Dictionary Entries Near shape
Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shape. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
shape
1 of 2 verb
shaped; shaping
1
: to give a certain form or shape to
shape the dough into loaves
2
: to change in shape so as to fit neatly and closely
a hat shaped close to the head
3
4
: to make fit especially for some purpose
shaping the minds of future leaders
5
: to take on or approach a definite form
—often used with up
shaper
noun
shape
2 of 2 noun1
: outward appearance : form
the shape of a pearl
2
: the outline of a body : figure
a square shape
3
: definite form and arrangement
a plan now taking shape
4
: something having a certain form
5
: the condition in which something or someone is at a certain time
the car was in poor shape
Medical Definition
shape
transitive verb
shaped; shaping
: to modify (behavior) by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired response
More from Merriam-Webster on shape
Nglish: Translation of shape for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shape for Arabic Speakers
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