shape
shape — verb
1. to play a strong part in deciding how something abstract develops — for example,
to play a strong part in deciding how something abstract develops — for example, how a person's character grows, what a country's policies become, or which beliefs a group ends up holding.
Caleb says his grandmother's stories about the war shaped his views on peace.
shape + noun (views / beliefs)
The two years Kemi spent teaching in rural Kenya shaped her sense of purpose.
subject is a formative experience or period
Public anger over the new tax has shaped the debate in parliament this month.
Diego believes a strict piano teacher in his childhood shaped the musician he is today.
Climate concerns are shaping the way younger voters in Taiwan think about politics.
文法句型
shape + noun (belief / opinion / future / character)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an experience, event, force, or person with influence; object is usually abstract — a belief, opinion, future, debate, character, or career. Often appears in the perfect tense ('has shaped', 'have been shaped by') when reflecting on causes after the fact.
常見錯誤
2. to push, press, or cut a flexible material so that it ends up with a particular
to push, press, or cut a flexible material so that it ends up with a particular outline — for example, bending a wire ring around a finger or pressing a hat brim until it curves the right way.
Yan shaped the warm copper wire into a small ring for his sister.
shape + material + into + result object
The hatmaker carefully shaped the felt brim around a wooden block.
shape + flexible material + around + mould
Ilan shaped his beard into a neat point before the wedding photos.
The new running shoes are shaped to fit the curve of your foot.
Élise shaped the soft leather collar to sit flat against her dog's neck.
文法句型
shape + noun + into + noun
shape + noun + to fit + noun
用法筆記
Object is usually a flexible material that already exists (wire, felt, leather, hair). Distinguish from sense 3, where 'shape' creates a new object out of raw substance — sense 2 only adjusts the outline of something already there.
常見錯誤
3. to take a soft or workable substance such as clay, dough, or stone and turn it i
to take a soft or workable substance such as clay, dough, or stone and turn it into a finished object by hand or with simple tools — for example, making a bowl out of wet clay or a small statue from a block of wood.
Kian shaped a small clay bowl on the wheel during his pottery class.
shape + finished object (from raw material context)
Saira shaped the bread dough into round loaves and left them to rise.
shape + raw material + into + result objects
The carver shaped a small horse from a single block of cherry wood.
Children at the museum shaped tiny pots out of grey river clay.
Sirin shaped the snow into a fat snowman with a long carrot nose.
文法句型
shape + noun (the object made)
shape + noun + from / out of + raw material
用法筆記
Object is the finished thing being made (a bowl, a loaf, a statue), and the raw substance is named with 'from' or 'out of'. Compare with sense 2: in sense 3 the substance is essentially formless (clay, dough, snow) until shaping creates a new object; in sense 2 the material already has a form and only its outline is adjusted.
常見錯誤
shape — noun
1. what something looks like in terms of its outline — for example, whether it is r
what something looks like in terms of its outline — for example, whether it is round, square, long, or curved.
Christopher drew a cloud in the shape of a rabbit on the window.
in the shape of [noun]
The cookies came out of the oven in funny twisted shapes.
Bao noticed that every leaf on the maple tree had a slightly different shape.
The vase had an elegant shape, narrow at the bottom and wide at the top.
- form
more abstract; can refer to internal structure too
- appearance
broader — covers colour and texture as well as outline
- outline
focuses only on the outer edge or silhouette
文法句型
the shape of [noun]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a physical object whose outline can be described. Distinguish from sense 2, which names a specific geometric figure (circle, square) rather than the appearance of one particular thing.
常見錯誤
2. a flat or solid figure such as a circle, square, triangle, or cube, defined by t
a flat or solid figure such as a circle, square, triangle, or cube, defined by the lines or edges that surround it.
Shirin's two-year-old daughter is learning to name basic shapes like circles and triangles.
On the worksheet, students had to match each shape with its correct name.
Mateus traced the hexagon shapes on the bathroom floor tiles with his finger.
Eshe cut the paper into different shapes for the art project.
用法筆記
Always countable in this sense — you say 'a shape' or 'shapes'. Typically refers to named geometric figures, often introduced to children or in maths class.
3. the outline of a person's body, especially how slim, curved, or muscular it look
the outline of a person's body, especially how slim, curved, or muscular it looks.
Caio's swimming routine has really changed the shape of his shoulders.
the shape of [body part]
The dress was tailored to fit Diya's shape perfectly.
possessive + shape (body outline)
After six months at the gym, Gabriel was happy with his new shape.
The coat hides her shape under thick layers of wool.
用法筆記
Refers to body outline rather than the face. Often appears with possessives ('her shape', 'his shape'). Distinguish from sense 6/7, which talk about physical fitness rather than visual outline.
4. someone or something visible only as a vague outline because the light is dim or
someone or something visible only as a vague outline because the light is dim or the distance is too great — for example, a figure moving in fog.
Through the morning mist, Rin saw a tall shape walking towards the lighthouse.
Astrid noticed dark shapes circling high above the cliffs — probably eagles.
A small shape moved behind the curtain, and the children held their breath.
From the boat, the island was just a grey shape on the horizon.
- figure
interchangeable here; slightly more often used for human outlines
- silhouette
specifically a dark outline against a bright background
- form
literary; suggests an even less defined outline
用法筆記
Often appears with adjectives like 'dark', 'shadowy', 'vague', or 'tall' that hint at what the speaker can or cannot see. The speaker's inability to see clearly is the key feature.
5. the way that something is arranged, run, or set up — its overall character rathe
the way that something is arranged, run, or set up — its overall character rather than its outline.
Asher worried about the shape of the new economy after the factory closed.
the shape of + abstract noun
The minister promised to announce the shape of next year's school reforms on Friday.
the shape of + plan / policy
Two months in Kyoto changed the shape of Salma's daily routine.
Nobody at the meeting could agree on the shape of the company's future.
Owen sketched out the rough shape of the wedding ceremony for his parents.
文法句型
the shape of + noun
用法筆記
Object is almost always abstract (a plan, policy, deal, economy, debate, agreement). Distinguish from noun/1 and noun/3, which describe physical form.
常見錯誤
6. how fit, healthy, or well-functioning a person or thing is right now — usually q
how fit, healthy, or well-functioning a person or thing is right now — usually qualified by a word like 'good', 'bad', 'poor', or 'terrible'.
After the marathon, Tara was in surprisingly good shape and went straight to dinner.
in + good / bad + shape
The old wooden bridge by the lake is in poor shape and unsafe.
applied to objects, not just people
Élise's grandmother is in remarkable shape for someone aged eighty-seven.
The accountant warned that the company's finances were in terrible shape.
Jiwoo woke up in bad shape after only three hours of sleep.
文法句型
in + adjective + shape
in shape
out of shape
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'in' plus an adjective (good, bad, poor, terrible, great). Distinguish from noun/7, which means specifically GOOD condition without needing an adjective.
常見錯誤
7. good physical fitness, especially the level you reach by exercising regularly; t
good physical fitness, especially the level you reach by exercising regularly; the opposite is 'out of shape'.
Lucía cycles to the bakery every morning to stay in shape.
stay / keep in shape (no adjective)
Two months on the sofa left Christopher badly out of shape.
out of shape — opposite
The coach told Kian he had six weeks to get in shape before tryouts.
Zuri runs three times a week and is in much better shape than her brother.
Climbing stairs in Lisbon is a cheap way to get back in shape after winter.
- out of shape
direct opposite phrase
文法句型
in shape
out of shape
get / stay / keep in shape
用法筆記
Used without an adjective, 'in shape' on its own already means fit; 'out of shape' means unfit. Distinguish from noun/6, where 'shape' is neutral and needs an adjective like 'bad' or 'good' to give it meaning.
常見錯誤
8. used in the fixed phrase 'all shapes and sizes' to mean a wide variety of types,
used in the fixed phrase 'all shapes and sizes' to mean a wide variety of types, kinds, or examples of something.
The shelter takes in dogs of all shapes and sizes, from tiny puppies to old greyhounds.
fixed phrase: of all shapes and sizes
Reuben's pottery class attracts students of all shapes and sizes.
Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes — even a small smile counts.
The market sold tomatoes in all shapes and sizes, some no bigger than a coin.
文法句型
[noun] of all shapes and sizes
in all shapes and sizes
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'of all shapes and sizes' or 'in all shapes and sizes'. Outside this phrase, the 'many types' meaning is rare and sounds unnatural.
常見錯誤
9. used in the emphatic phrase 'in any shape or form' to stress that something is n
used in the emphatic phrase 'in any shape or form' to stress that something is not allowed or not present in any version at all.
Élise refuses to accept gifts from suppliers in any shape or form.
emphatic 'in any shape or form'
The school does not tolerate bullying in any shape or form.
Tamás said he would not support the proposal in any way, shape, or form.
The contract bans gambling in any shape or form on company premises.
文法句型
in any shape or form
in any way, shape, or form
用法筆記
Almost exclusively in the negative emphatic phrase 'in any shape or form'. Outside this phrase, this 'any type' meaning is not used. Common in formal statements, codes of conduct, and refusals.