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.
Recent Examples on the WebEsha Day, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Welcome to another edition of Essential Arts, where the question of the week just might be: How have 99 Cents Only Stores shaped L.A.’s cultural landscape?
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
There, the two women develop a mutual respect that will shape the delicate negotiations to land the prince for the interview.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
With the notable exceptions of Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, a string of two-term Presidents—Reagan, Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama—shaped much of the past several decades of American political life.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Host Ari Wallach travels around the world to meet the people shaping a hopeful future.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
In the National Assembly, Park wants to shape science, technology and tax policies that affect the engineering and industrial sectors, which fueled South Korea’s economic rise as a manufacturing powerhouse.
—Michelle Lee, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Older children can take even more ownership in shaping these conversations.
—Sarah Klein, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Instead of its tall signs shaped like triplet leaves, a navy sign for Midwest Tinting sits out front.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
To do this, fold the larger scarf into a narrow shape and wrap it around your neck until only two small ends remain.
—Jana Ackermann, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2024
Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin's 2 Daughters: All About Delilah and Amelia
Her hair's dimensional and razor-sharp shape includes blunt cheekbone-grazing layers that are balanced out with wispy eyebrow-length bangs.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
So the shape of both the light source and the hole do indeed matter.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
Specimens from the Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates showcase the stunning diversity of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes among birds.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
According to the culture ministry, the recent research also sheds new light on the fountain’s shape and function, and excavations will continue later this year.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Love comes in an infinite number of forms and shapes and sizes.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2024
And with China’s economy in such poor shape, Mr. Xi would probably rather avoid a major confrontation that could unnerve investors.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Verb
Subscribe to the Eye on AI newsletter to stay abreast of how AI is shaping the future of business.
—Esha Day, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
Welcome to another edition of Essential Arts, where the question of the week just might be: How have 99 Cents Only Stores shaped L.A.’s cultural landscape?
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
There, the two women develop a mutual respect that will shape the delicate negotiations to land the prince for the interview.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
With the notable exceptions of Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, a string of two-term Presidents—Reagan, Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama—shaped much of the past several decades of American political life.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
Host Ari Wallach travels around the world to meet the people shaping a hopeful future.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
In the National Assembly, Park wants to shape science, technology and tax policies that affect the engineering and industrial sectors, which fueled South Korea’s economic rise as a manufacturing powerhouse.
—Michelle Lee, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Older children can take even more ownership in shaping these conversations.
—Sarah Klein, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Instead of its tall signs shaped like triplet leaves, a navy sign for Midwest Tinting sits out front.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
Noun
Customized options for a better fit (like adjustable straps or removable insoles) were also taken into consideration, since feet can swell or change shape during pregnancy.
—Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
To do this, fold the larger scarf into a narrow shape and wrap it around your neck until only two small ends remain.
—Jana Ackermann, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2024
Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin's 2 Daughters: All About Delilah and Amelia
Her hair's dimensional and razor-sharp shape includes blunt cheekbone-grazing layers that are balanced out with wispy eyebrow-length bangs.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
So the shape of both the light source and the hole do indeed matter.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
Specimens from the Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates showcase the stunning diversity of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes among birds.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
According to the culture ministry, the recent research also sheds new light on the fountain’s shape and function, and excavations will continue later this year.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Love comes in an infinite number of forms and shapes and sizes.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2024
And with China’s economy in such poor shape, Mr. Xi would probably rather avoid a major confrontation that could unnerve investors.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
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.
Articles Related to shape
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Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shape. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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