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3 N‑COUNT A shape is a space enclosed by an outline, for example a circle, a square, or a triangle. □  He suggested that the shapes represented a map of Britain and Ireland.

4 N‑SING The shape of something that is planned or organized is its structure and character. □ [+ of ] The last two weeks have seen a lot of talk about the future shape of Europe.

5 VERB Someone or something that shapes a situation or an activity has a very great influence on the way it develops. □ [V n] Like it or not, our families shape our lives and make us what we are.

6 VERB If you shape an object, you give it a particular shape, using your hands or a tool. □ [V n + into ] Cut the dough in half and shape each half into a loaf.

7 → see also shaped

8 PHRASE If you say that something is the shape of things to come , you mean that it is the start of a new trend or development, and in future things will be like this. □  The new railway station is said to be the shape of things to come.

9 PHRASE If you say, for example, that you will not accept something in any shape or form , or in any way, shape or form , you are emphasizing that you will not accept it in any circumstances. [EMPHASIS ] □  I don't condone violence in any shape or form.

10 PHRASE If someone or something is in shape , or in good shape , they are in a good state of health or in a good condition. If they are in bad shape , they are in a bad state of health or in a bad condition. □  He was still in better shape than many young men. □  The trees were in bad shape from dry rot.

11 PHRASE You can use in the shape of to state exactly who or what you are referring to, immediately after referring to them in a general way. □  The Prime Minister found a surprise ally today in the shape of Jacques Delors, the Commission President.

12 PHRASE If you lick , knock, or whip someone or something into shape , you use whatever methods are necessary to change or improve them so that they are in the condition that you want them to be in. □  You'll have four months in which to lick the recruits into shape.

13 PHRASE If something is out of shape , it is no longer in its proper or original shape, for example because it has been damaged or wrongly handled. □  Once most wires are bent out of shape, they don't return to the original position.

14 PHRASE If you are out of shape , you are unhealthy and unable to do a lot of physical activity without getting tired.

15 PHRASE When something takes shape , it develops or starts to appear in such a way that it becomes fairly clear what its final form will be. □  By Friday night, when we held our regular board meeting, a plan was taking shape.

▸  shape up

1 PHRASAL VERB If something is shaping up , it is starting to develop or seems likely to happen. □ [V P ] There are also indications that a major tank battle may be shaping up for tonight. □ [V P + as ] The accident is already shaping up as a significant environmental disaster. □ [V P to-inf] It's shaping up to be a terrible winter. [Also V P + into ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If you ask how someone or something is shaping up , you want to know how well they are doing in a particular situation or activity. □ [V P + as ] I did have a few worries about how Hugh and I would shape up as parents. □ [V P adv] Girls are being recruited now. I heard they are shaping up very well.

3 PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone to shape up , you are telling them to start behaving in a sensible and responsible way. □ [V P ] It is no use simply to tell adolescents to shape up and do something useful.