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 Web
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Divide and shape mixture into small (about ¾-inch) balls, forming 30 to 40 meatballs.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
But after Musk spent at least $119 million to get Trump elected and turned his platform into a MAGA megaphone — and then Trump won — the social media site’s real value is starting to take new shape.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shape 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
But both sisters know in their bones that the book that obsessed their famous astronaut father — whose influence shaped their lives — is more than one dead white guy’s diary.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Divide and shape mixture into small (about ¾-inch) balls, forming 30 to 40 meatballs.
—Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
But after Musk spent at least $119 million to get Trump elected and turned his platform into a MAGA megaphone — and then Trump won — the social media site’s real value is starting to take new shape.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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 22 Nov. 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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