Nearby Words
Synonyms
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noun
1.
the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure.
2.
this quality as found in some individual object or body form: This lake has a peculiar shape.
3.
something seen in outline, as in silhouette: A vague shape appeared through the mist.
4.
an imaginary form; phantom.
5.
EXPANDan assumed appearance; guise: an angel in the shape of a woman.
6.
a particular or definite organized form or expression: He could give no shape to his ideas.
7.
proper form; orderly arrangement.
8.
condition or state of repair: The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.
9.
the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence: What will the shape of the future be?
10.
the figure, physique, or body of a person, especially of a woman: A dancer can keep her shape longer than those of us who have sedentary jobs.
11.
something used to give form, as a mold or a pattern.
12.
Also called section. Building Trades, Metalworking. a flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.
13.
COLLAPSENautical. a ball, cone, drum, etc., used as a day signal, singly or in combinations, to designate a vessel at anchor or engaged in some particular operation.
verb (used with object)
14.
to give definite form, shape, organization, or character to; fashion or form.
15.
to couch or express in words: to shape a statement.
16.
to adjust; adapt: He shaped everything to suit his taste.
17.
to direct (one's course, future, etc.).
18.
EXPANDto file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.
19.
Animal Behavior, Psychology. to teach (a desired behavior) to a human or other animal by successively rewarding the actions that more and more closely approximate that behavior.
20.
COLLAPSEObsolete. to appoint; decree.
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Take shape
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrase21.
to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way: If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.
22.
Idiomshape up,
a.
to assume a specific form: The plan is beginning to shape up.
b.
to evolve or develop, especially favorably.
c.
to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.
d.
to get oneself into good physical condition.
e.
(of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.
23.
take shape, to assume a fixed form; become definite: The house is beginning to take shape.
Origin:
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dial. shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (v.) Middle English; Old English sceapen (past participle); replacing Middle English sheppe, shippe, Old English sceppan, scyppan; cognate with German schaffen, Old Norse skepja, Gothic -skapjan to make
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dial. shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (v.) Middle English; Old English sceapen (past participle); replacing Middle English sheppe, shippe, Old English sceppan, scyppan; cognate with German schaffen, Old Norse skepja, Gothic -skapjan to make
Related forms
shap·a·ble, shape·a·ble, adjective
out·shape, verb (used with object), out·shaped, out·shap·ing.
pre·shape, noun, verb (used with object), pre·shaped, pre·shap·ing.
trans·shape, verb (used with object), trans·shaped, trans·shap·ing.
un·shap·a·ble, adjective
EXPANDSynonyms
1. silhouette, appearance. See form. 4. specter, illusion. 7. order, pattern. 8. order, situation. 14. mold, model.
1. silhouette, appearance. See form. 4. specter, illusion. 7. order, pattern. 8. order, situation. 14. mold, model.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To take shape
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
shape
O.E. gesceap "creation, form, destiny," from root of shape (v.)). Meaning "contours of the body" is attested from c.1393. Meaning "condition, state" is first recorded 1865, Amer.Eng. In M.E., the word also had a sense of "a woman's private parts." Shapely "well-formed" is recorded from 1382.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
take shape
Also, shape up. Turn out, develop, acquire a distinctive form, as in Her reelection campaign is already taking shape, two years before the election, or Can you tell us how the book is shaping up? The first term dates from the mid-1700s and the variant, originally put as shape out, from about 1600.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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