shapes
shapes — verb
- shapespresent simple I / you / we / they
- shapeses3rd person singular
- shapesing-ing form
- shapesedpast simple
1. to affect the way something grows or becomes, especially a person's character, b
to affect the way something grows or becomes, especially a person's character, beliefs, or the general direction of events
The teachers at Nora's school helped shape her love of reading.
shape + [person's] + love/interest of [topic]
Economic conditions shape the way people vote in national elections.
shape + the way [clause]
Adisa's experiences traveling through Asia shaped their views on cultural differences.
Social media has shaped how young people share news and ideas.
The community event shaped Camila's understanding of local needs.
- destroy
opposite in the sense of breaking down a formed structure or character
文法句型
shape + [noun phrase]
be shaped by + [agent/force]
用法筆記
Subject is often an abstract force such as experience, culture, or major events rather than a person deliberately acting. Frequently found in the passive: 'His worldview was shaped by growing up in a small town.'
常見錯誤
2. to give a physical object a particular form by cutting, bending, pressing, or mo
to give a physical object a particular form by cutting, bending, pressing, or moving it into that shape
The potter shaped the wet clay into a wide bowl on the spinning wheel.
pattern: shape [material] + into + [result]
Tyler shaped the metal wire into a small hook for the garden gate.
The tailor shaped the fabric carefully to fit around Mathieu's shoulders.
The carpenter shaped the wooden board by sanding the edges with a tool.
Talia shaped the bread dough into small round pieces for baking.
文法句型
shape + [material] + into + [resulting form]
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'into' to state the resulting form. The object is a soft or workable material such as clay, dough, metal, or fabric.
常見錯誤
3. to create an object by carving, cutting, or modelling a raw substance such as st
to create an object by carving, cutting, or modelling a raw substance such as stone, wood, or clay into a finished piece
The sculptor shaped a small bird from a block of white marble.
pattern: shape [object] + from + [material]
Yumi shaped a drinking cup out of the clay she had prepared the night before.
Artisans in the mountain village shaped cooking pots from the local river clay.
Zayd shaped the piece of oak wood into a long-handled spoon for the kitchen.
The silversmith shaped the melted metal into a delicate bracelet with flowers.
文法句型
shape + [object] + from/out of + [material]
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'from' or 'out of' to specify the raw material. The emphasis is on the entire process of making, not just the final physical form.
常見錯誤
shapes — noun
- shapessingular
- shapesesplural
1. The outer form or outline of an object or person that you can see or feel — for
The outer form or outline of an object or person that you can see or feel — for example, the way a mountain, a table, or a cloud looks from the outside.
The artist drew the basic shape of the mountain range before adding details.
shape of + noun for outer form
Rin noticed that the cookie had an odd, lopsided shape after baking.
A child's drawing of a house usually has a square shape with a triangle on top.
The shape of the sofa made it hard to fit through the narrow doorway.
文法句型
shape of + noun
用法筆記
Countable when referring to a specific form ("three different shapes"); uncountable when talking about form in general ("the shape of the bottle").
常見錯誤
2. A simple figure defined by lines, curves, and angles — such as a circle, square,
A simple figure defined by lines, curves, and angles — such as a circle, square, triangle, or rectangle that you learn about in geometry.
The children cut out different shapes from coloured paper for their art project.
countable: different shapes for geometric figures
Omar drew a diamond shape and asked his friend to guess what it was.
In maths class, the students learned how to find the area of each shape.
The window was built in the shape of a perfect circle.
A square and a rectangle are both four-sided shapes, but the sides of a square are all equal.
文法句型
[adjective] shape
用法筆記
Always countable when referring to specific geometric figures ("draw three shapes", "name this shape").
常見錯誤
3. The visible outline of a person's body, especially the way it looks from shoulde
The visible outline of a person's body, especially the way it looks from shoulders to hips and legs.
Mayumi could see her own shape reflected in the dark glass of the shop window.
possessive + shape for body outline
Regular swimming helped Reema keep her shape even as she got older.
keep one's shape — collocation for maintaining body form
The tailor measured William's shoulder width to make the jacket fit his shape well.
Inês noticed the man in the coat had a tall, thin shape that stood out in the crowd.
文法句型
someone's shape
[adjective] shape
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to body form in a general sense ("that dress shows your shape"); countable when describing a particular type ("people with different body shapes").
常見錯誤
4. A person or thing that you can only see as a dark outline because the light is p
A person or thing that you can only see as a dark outline because the light is poor, because it is far away, or because your view is blocked.
As the fog lifted, Otis could make out a dark shape moving through the trees.
make out a shape — collocation for seeing vaguely
A tall shape stood at the end of the hallway, but Paul could not tell who it was.
From the boat, Kwame saw the shape of the island appear through the morning mist.
In the old photograph, only the dim shape of a woman standing by the gate was visible.
- silhouette
suggests a black outline against a brighter background, more specific
- outline
emphasises the edge lines; less mysterious in tone
- form
more neutral; can be used for clearly seen figures too
文法句型
a shape + relative clause
用法筆記
Commonly follows verbs of perception like 'make out', 'see', 'spot'. Often used with adjectives such as 'dark', 'dim', 'vague', 'shadowy'.
常見錯誤
5. A wide range of different kinds or varieties — used in the fixed phrase 'all sha
A wide range of different kinds or varieties — used in the fixed phrase 'all shapes and sizes' to emphasise diversity.
The market sells hats in all shapes and sizes, from tiny beanies to huge sun hats.
all shapes and sizes — fixed phrase for diversity
Noa's bakery offers cakes in all shapes and sizes for different celebrations.
The shop was full of lamps of all shapes, from simple glass balls to carved wooden ones.
Rohan discovered that plants come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny moss to giant trees.
文法句型
all shapes and sizes
shapes of + noun
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the plural collocation 'shapes and sizes' together. Most common in the fixed phrase 'all shapes and sizes'. Cannot be used in the singular for this meaning.
常見錯誤
6. Any kind, type, or form at all — used in negative sentences and questions to mea
Any kind, type, or form at all — used in negative sentences and questions to mean 'of any kind whatsoever', especially in the fixed phrase 'any shape or form'.
I will not accept criticism in any shape or form from someone who was not there.
any shape or form — fixed negative phrase
Rodrigo insisted he had no interest in gambling in any shape or form.
The school has a strict rule against bullying in any shape or form.
Rin asked whether there was any shape of support the company could offer new employees.
- any kind
simpler and more neutral; lacks the emphatic pairing of 'shape' and 'form'
- whatsoever
used after 'any' for emphasis; not a direct noun substitute
文法句型
not in any shape or form
in any shape
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the negative fixed phrase 'any shape or form'. The singular form is used. Cannot be used in affirmative statements except in questions or conditionals.
常見錯誤
7. how something is structured, arranged, or developed, with focus on its general n
how something is structured, arranged, or developed, with focus on its general nature and qualities rather than its physical form
The new director changed the shape of the entire department within six months.
the shape of [something] — abstract organization
Scientists are still studying the shape of the pandemic to predict future waves.
The shape of public debate on immigration has shifted dramatically in recent years.
Negotiations about the shape of the new trade agreement are expected to begin next month.
- structure
focuses on the arrangement of parts rather than character
- organization
emphasises how things are ordered or arranged
- nature
highlights the essential qualities rather than arrangement
- form
slightly more abstract; often used for patterns or systems
用法筆記
This sense refers to abstract or organizational structure rather than physical form. Common in formal, analytical, or journalistic contexts.
常見錯誤
8. how healthy, well-functioning, or well-maintained a person or thing is at a give
how healthy, well-functioning, or well-maintained a person or thing is at a given moment
After the storm, the old wooden pier was in terrible shape.
in [adjective] shape — describing physical condition
Roya visited her grandmother and was relieved to find her in good shape after the surgery.
The company's finances were in such bad shape that they had to declare bankruptcy.
Bao checked the second-hand car carefully, but its engine was in poor shape.
用法筆記
Almost always used with an adjective describing the quality of the condition (good, bad, terrible, excellent, poor). Takes no article: 'in good shape', not 'in a good shape'.
常見錯誤
9. the state of being physically fit and healthy, especially as a result of regular
the state of being physically fit and healthy, especially as a result of regular exercise and good eating habits
Andrew runs five kilometres every morning to stay in shape.
stay in shape — maintain fitness through regular exercise
The coach said the whole team was in excellent shape for the championship finals.
Bao joined a local gym to get in shape before his sister's wedding.
After six months of swimming three times a week, Roya was in the best shape of her life.
The doctor told Jin that he was badly out of shape and needed to exercise regularly.
- unfitness
the state of not being physically fit
文法句型
be in shape
get in shape
stay in shape
用法筆記
Most common in the fixed phrases 'in shape' (physically fit), 'out of shape' (unfit), 'get in shape' (become fit), and 'stay/keep in shape' (remain fit). Usually used without an article.