{
    "term": "shape",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "the form of the outer edges or surfaces of something; an example of something that has a particular form",
            "sensetop": "in shapein the shape of something",
            "labels": "(figurative)",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a rectangular/spherical/cylindrical shape"
                },
                {
                    "text": "geometric shapes"
                },
                {
                    "text": "fantastic creatures that can **change shape** and be either visible or invisible"
                },
                {
                    "text": "You can recognize the fish by the shape of their fins."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They have completely different **body shapes**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This old T-shirt has completely lost its shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The island was originally circular in shape.",
                    "contextForm": "in shape"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Several rooms are irregular in shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Candles come in **all shapes and sizes**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Glass is blown or moulded into many shapes."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The pool was in the shape of a heart.",
                    "contextForm": "in the shape of something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The government provides money in the shape of *(= consisting of)* grants and student loans."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Squares, circles and triangles are types of shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "First draw the rough shape of your chosen animal."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Fold the paper to make the shape of a cone."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I recognized the distinctive shape of a 747."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Ordinary things assumed different shapes in the mist."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She drew inspiration from organic shapes in the surrounding landscape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The road forms an L shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Opt for a hairstyle to suit your face shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You can't change your natural body shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The bruise was a sort of mushroom shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The desk was an awkward shape and wouldn't fit through the door."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Colours and Shapes"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["basic", "simple", "overall"],
                "verb + shape": ["cut out", "draw", "make"],
                "shape + verb": ["appear", "emerge", "loom"],
                "preposition": ["shape for", "in the shape of"],
                "phrases": [
                    "all shapes and sizes",
                    "circular, hexagonal, oblong, rectangular, etc. in shape"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "a person or thing that is difficult to see clearly",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Ghostly shapes moved around in the dark."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I could just make out a dark shape in the distance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "An enormous shape loomed up out of the mist directly in front of me."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "figure",
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["basic", "simple", "overall"],
                "verb + shape": ["cut out", "draw", "make"],
                "shape + verb": ["appear", "emerge", "loom"],
                "preposition": ["shape for", "in the shape of"],
                "phrases": [
                    "all shapes and sizes",
                    "circular, hexagonal, oblong, rectangular, etc. in shape"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "the physical condition of somebody/something",
            "sensetop": "in … shape",
            "labels": "(figurative)(figurative)",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "What sort of shape was the car in after the accident?",
                    "contextForm": "in … shape"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He's **in good shape** for someone who had surgery six months ago."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The ship was **in bad shape** as a result of damage sustained in the collision."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He’s not in any shape *(= not well enough)* to be working."
                },
                {
                    "text": "After the night before, he was in rough shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "My mother is in better physical shape than I am."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She likes to stay in shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The economy is still in pretty good shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The company is in good financial shape."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["decent", "excellent", "fine"],
                "preposition": ["shape for"],
                "phrases": [
                    "get somebody/​something into shape",
                    "knock somebody/​something into shape",
                    "lick somebody/​something into shape"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "the particular qualities or characteristics of something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Will new technology change the shape of broadcasting?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Prices vary according to the size and shape of each project."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He did much to determine the shape of Asia's political map."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["general", "overall", "changing"],
                "verb + shape": ["alter", "change", "determine"],
                "phrases": ["the shape of things to come", "in any shape or form"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to become angry, anxious or upset",
            "labels": "(North American English, informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Don't get bent out of shape about it. It was just a mistake!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to take exercise, eat healthy food, etc. in order to become physically fit",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I’m trying to get into shape before summer."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I need to get back into shape after the Christmas holiday."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Health and Fitness"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to train somebody so that they do a particular job, task, etc. well",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It took him just two weeks to knock the new recruits into shape."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to make something more acceptable, organized or successful",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I've got all the information together but it still needs knocking into shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It shouldn’t take long to get the company back into shape."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Success"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to express or explain a particular idea, plan, etc.",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Marie tried to find the right words to give shape to the confusion in her head."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "of any type",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I don't approve of violence in any shape or form."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I can't stand insects in any shape or form."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I do not condone bullying in any way, shape or form."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "(to get/stay) in good physical condition",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You don't have to spend a fortune on gym membership to get in shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I like to stay in shape."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "not having the normal shape",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The wheel had been twisted out of shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The bicycle had been battered out of shape."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "not in good physical condition",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I didn’t realize how out of shape I was!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the way things are likely to develop in the future",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Are solar-powered cars the shape of things to come?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This new system could be the shape of things to come."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to develop and become more complete or organized",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The garden is beginning to take shape."
                },
                {
                    "text": "A new song began to take shape in her mind."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to dance",
            "labels": "(British English)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She spent the whole evening throwing shapes on the dance floor."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to behave in a way that makes you seem to threaten somebody, especially by standing as though you are ready to fight, without actually becoming violent",
            "labels": "(Irish English)(figurative)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I was worried he might get violent but he was just throwing shapes."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The two main investors threw some shapes during the debate."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ʃeɪp/",
                "audio": "sh/shape/shape__gb_3.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ʃeɪp/",
                "audio": "sh/shape/shape__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English gesceap ‘external form’, also ‘creation’, sceppan ‘create’, of Germanic origin."
}