shipshape

adjective

ship·​shape ˌship-ˈshāp How to pronounce shipshape (audio)
ˈship-ˌshāp
Synonyms of shipshapenext
: trim, tidy

Synonyms

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Examples of shipshape in a Sentence

I like to keep my car shipshape. Everything had to be shipshape before we could sell the house.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Freshly painted wood exteriors, a red door and white trim give the cottage a shipshape appearance. — Lauren Beale, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2019 Indeed, Helena Bay’s atmosphere is more shipshape than Kiwi-convivial. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, 17 Jan. 2019

Word History

Etymology

short for earlier shipshapen, from ship + shapen, archaic past participle of shape

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shipshape was in 1769

Rhymes for shipshape

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Cite this Entry

“Shipshape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shipshape. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

shipshape

adjective
ship·​shape ˈship-ˈshāp How to pronounce shipshape (audio)
: being neat and orderly : tidy

More from Merriam-Webster on shipshape

Nglish: Translation of shipshape for Spanish Speakers

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