- [countable, uncountable]
the form of the outer edges or surfaces of something; an example of something that has a particular form 形状；外形；样子；呈…形状的事物 a rectangular/spherical/cylindrical shape 矩形/球形/圆柱形 geometric shapes 几何形状 fantastic creatures that can change shape and be either visible or invisible 神奇的生物可以改变形状，或者是可见的，或者是不可见的 You can recognize the fish by the shape of their fins. 你可以根据鳍的形状来辨认这种鱼。 They have completely different body shapes. 他们有完全不同的体形。 This old T-shirt has completely lost its shape. 这件旧 T 恤衫已经穿得完全走样了。 - in shape
The island was originally circular in shape. 这个岛原先为圆形。 Several rooms are irregular in shape. 几个房间形状不规则。 Candles come in all shapes and sizes. 有各种形状和大小的蜡烛。 Glass is blown or moulded into many shapes. 玻璃被吹制或塑造成许多形状。 - in the shape of something
The pool was in the shape of a heart. 游泳池呈心形。 - (figurative)
The government provides money in the shape of (= consisting of) grants and student loans. 政府以助学金和学生贷款的形式提供资助。
Extra ExamplesTopics Colours and Shapesa2Squares, circles and triangles are types of shape. 正方形、圆形和三角形是不同类型的形状。 First draw the rough shape of your chosen animal. 首先画出你所选动物的大体轮廓。 Fold the paper to make the shape of a cone. 把纸折成圆锥形。 I recognized the distinctive shape of a 747. 我认出了波音 747 那独特的机型。 Ordinary things assumed different shapes in the mist. 雾中平常的东西会呈现出不同的形状。 She drew inspiration from organic shapes in the surrounding landscape. 她从周围景观中的自然形态获取灵感。 The road forms an L shape. 这条路呈 L 形。 Opt for a hairstyle to suit your face shape. 选一种适合你脸型的发式吧。 You can't change your natural body shape. 天生的体型是无法改变的。 The bruise was a sort of mushroom shape. 瘀伤呈蘑菇状。 The desk was an awkward shape and wouldn't fit through the door. 这张桌子形状真别扭，过不了这个门。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- basic
- simple
- overall
- …
- cut out
- draw
- make
- …
- appear
- emerge
- loom
- …
- shape for
- in the shape of
- all shapes and sizes
- circular, hexagonal, oblong, rectangular, etc. in shape
- [countable]
a person or thing that is difficult to see clearly 模糊的影子 Ghostly shapes moved around in the dark. 有几个鬼一样的影子在黑暗中游荡。 I could just make out a dark shape in the distance. 我只能隐约辨出远处的一个黑影。 An enormous shape loomed up out of the mist directly in front of me. 一个巨大的身影从雾中隐约出现在我面前。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- basic
- simple
- overall
- …
- cut out
- draw
- make
- …
- appear
- emerge
- loom
- …
- shape for
- in the shape of
- all shapes and sizes
- circular, hexagonal, oblong, rectangular, etc. in shape
- [uncountable]
the physical condition of somebody/something 状况；情况 - in … shape
What sort of shape was the car in after the accident? 这车出过事故以后状况如何？ He's in good shape for a man of his age. 作为那把年纪的人来说，他身体不错。 The ship was in bad shape as a result of damage sustained in the collision. 由于在碰撞中受损，船的状况很糟糕。 He’s not in any shape (= not well enough) to be working. 他身体状况不好，不能工作。
Extra ExamplesAfter the night before, he was in rough shape. 经历了前一天晚上的事情，他的状态差极了。 He's 64, but he's in better physical shape than I am. 他 64 岁了，但身体状况比我还好。 She likes to stay in shape. 她喜欢保持健康的状态。 - (figurative)
The economy is still in pretty good shape. 经济情况仍然相当不错。 - (figurative)
The company is in good financial shape. 该公司的财务状况良好。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- decent
- excellent
- fine
- …
- shape for
- get somebody/something into shape
- knock somebody/something into shape
- lick somebody/something into shape
- …
- in … shape
- [uncountable]
the particular qualities or characteristics of something 性质；特点 Will new technology change the shape of broadcasting? 新技术会改变广播的方式吗？ Prices vary according to the size and shape of each project. 价格随每项工程的规模和特点有所变化。 He did much to determine the shape of Asia's political map. 他为亚洲政治版图的确定做了许多工作。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- general
- overall
- changing
- …
- alter
- change
- determine
- …
- the shape of things to come
- in any shape or form
Word OriginOld English gesceap ‘external form’, also ‘creation’, sceppan ‘create’, of Germanic origin.
Idioms
get bent out of shape (about/over something)
get (yourself) into shape
to take exercise, eat healthy food, etc. in order to become physically fit 强身健体 I’m trying to get into shape before summer. 我正努力在夏天到来之前保持身材。 I need to get back into shape after the Christmas holiday. 过了圣诞假期我得锻炼身体了。
get/knock/lick somebody into shape
to train somebody so that they do a particular job, task, etc. well 把某人培养成材（或训练出来） It took him just two weeks to knock the new recruits into shape. 他只用了两个星期就把新兵训练好了。 Leave the boy with me—I'll soon knock him into shape! 把这男孩交给我，我会很快把他调教好的！
get/knock/lick something into shape
to make something more acceptable, organized or successful 把某事物整顿好；使某事物条理化（或更趋完善） I've got all the information together but it still needs knocking into shape. 我把材料全都收集齐了，但还需要整理。 It shouldn’t take long to get the company back into shape. 公司不需要很长时间就能恢复正常。
give shape to something
- (formal)
to express or explain a particular idea, plan, etc. 表达，阐释（观点、计划等） Marie tried to find the right words to give shape to the confusion in her head. 玛丽试图找到合适的词来表达她头脑中的困惑。
in any (way,) shape or form
(get/keep/stay) in shape
(of a person 人 (to get/stay) in good physical condition 身体状况良好 You don't have to spend a fortune on gym membership to get in shape. 你不必花一大笔钱去健身。 I like to stay in shape. 我喜欢保持身材。
out of shape
the shape of things to come
the way things are likely to develop in the future 未来的状况 Are solar-powered cars the shape of things to come? 太阳能动力汽车是未来发展的方向吗？ This new system could be the shape of things to come. 这个新系统很有可能代表了未来的发展趋势。
take shape
to develop and become more complete or organized 成形；有了模样 The garden is beginning to take shape. 花园开始成形了。 A new song began to take shape in her mind. 一首新歌开始在她脑子里成形了。
throw shapes
- (British English)
to dance 跳舞 She spent the whole evening throwing shapes on the dance floor. 她整晚都在舞池里跳舞。
- (Irish English)
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 作势要打架；摆出气势汹汹的样子 I was worried he might get violent but he was just throwing shapes. 我担心他会动手，但他只是虚张声势。 - (figurative)
The two main investors threw some shapes during the debate. 两名主要投资人在辩论时剑拔弩张，火药味十足。