- [countable, uncountable]
the form of the outer edges or surfaces of something; an example of something that has a particular form 形狀；外形；樣子；呈…形狀的事物 a rectangular/spherical/cylindrical shape 矩形/球形/圓柱形 geometric shapes 幾何形狀 fantastic creatures that can change shape and be either visible or invisible 神奇的生物可以改變形狀，或者是可見的，或者是不可見的 You can recognize the fish by the shape of their fins. 你可以根據鳍的形狀來辨認這種魚。 They have completely different body shapes. 他們有完全不同的體形。 This old T-shirt has completely lost its shape. 這件舊 T 恤衫已經穿得完全走樣了。 - in shape
The island was originally circular in shape. 這個島原先爲圓形。 Several rooms are irregular in shape. 幾個房間形狀不規則。 Candles come in all shapes and sizes. 有各種形狀和大小的蠟燭。 Glass is blown or moulded into many shapes. 玻璃被吹制或塑造成許多形狀。 - in the shape of something
The pool was in the shape of a heart. 遊泳池呈心形。 - (figurative)
The government provides money in the shape of (= consisting of) grants and student loans. 政府以助學金和學生貸款的形式提供資助。
Extra ExamplesTopics Colours and Shapesa2Squares, circles and triangles are types of shape. 正方形、圓形和三角形是不同類型的形狀。 First draw the rough shape of your chosen animal. 首先畫出你所選動物的大體輪廓。 Fold the paper to make the shape of a cone. 把紙折成圓錐形。 I recognized the distinctive shape of a 747. 我認出了波音 747 那獨特的機型。 Ordinary things assumed different shapes in the mist. 霧中平常的東西會呈現出不同的形狀。 She drew inspiration from organic shapes in the surrounding landscape. 她從周圍景觀中的自然形態獲取靈感。 The road forms an L shape. 這條路呈 L 形。 Opt for a hairstyle to suit your face shape. 選一種適合你臉型的發式吧。 You can't change your natural body shape. 天生的體型是無法改變的。 The bruise was a sort of mushroom shape. 瘀傷呈蘑菇狀。 The desk was an awkward shape and wouldn't fit through the door. 這張桌子形狀真别扭，過不了這個門。
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. 有幾個鬼一樣的影子在黑暗中遊蕩。 I could just make out a dark shape in the distance. 我只能隐約辨出遠處的一個黑影。 An enormous shape loomed up out of the mist directly in front of me. 一個巨大的身影從霧中隐約出現在我面前。
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 狀況；情況 - in … shape
What sort of shape was the car in after the accident? 這車出過事故以後狀況如何？ He's in good shape for a man of his age. 作爲那把年紀的人來說，他身體不錯。 The ship was in bad shape as a result of damage sustained in the collision. 由於在碰撞中受損，船的狀況很糟糕。 He’s not in any shape (= not well enough) to be working. 他身體狀況不好，不能工作。
Extra ExamplesAfter the night before, he was in rough shape. 經歷了前一天晚上的事情，他的狀態差極了。 He's 64, but he's in better physical shape than I am. 他 64 歲了，但身體狀況比我還好。 She likes to stay in shape. 她喜歡保持健康的狀態。 - (figurative)
The economy is still in pretty good shape. 經濟情況仍然相當不錯。 - (figurative)
The company is in good financial shape. 該公司的財務狀況良好。
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 性質；特點 Will new technology change the shape of broadcasting? 新技術會改變廣播的方式嗎？ Prices vary according to the size and shape of each project. 價格随每項工程的規模和特點有所變化。 He did much to determine the shape of Asia's political map. 他爲亞洲政治版圖的確定做了許多工作。
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 強身健體 I’m trying to get into shape before summer. 我正努力在夏天到來之前保持身材。 I need to get back into shape after the Christmas holiday. 過了聖誕假期我得鍛煉身體了。
get/knock/lick somebody into shape
to train somebody so that they do a particular job, task, etc. well 把某人培養成材（或訓練出來） It took him just two weeks to knock the new recruits into shape. 他只用了兩個星期就把新兵訓練好了。 Leave the boy with me—I'll soon knock him into shape! 把這男孩交給我，我會很快把他調教好的！
get/knock/lick something into shape
to make something more acceptable, organized or successful 把某事物整頓好；使某事物條理化（或更趨完善） I've got all the information together but it still needs knocking into shape. 我把材料全都收集齊了，但還需要整理。 It shouldn’t take long to get the company back into shape. 公司不需要很長時間就能恢複正常。
give shape to something
- (formal)
to express or explain a particular idea, plan, etc. 表達，闡釋（觀點、計劃等） Marie tried to find the right words to give shape to the confusion in her head. 瑪麗試圖找到合適的詞來表達她頭腦中的困惑。
in any (way,) shape or form
(get/keep/stay) in shape
(of a person 人 (to get/stay) in good physical condition 身體狀況良好 You don't have to spend a fortune on gym membership to get in shape. 你不必花一大筆錢去健身。 I like to stay in shape. 我喜歡保持身材。
out of shape
the shape of things to come
the way things are likely to develop in the future 未來的狀況 Are solar-powered cars the shape of things to come? 太陽能動力汽車是未來發展的方向嗎？ This new system could be the shape of things to come. 這個新系統很有可能代表了未來的發展趨勢。
take shape
to develop and become more complete or organized 成形；有了模樣 The garden is beginning to take shape. 花園開始成形了。 A new song began to take shape in her mind. 一首新歌開始在她腦子裏成形了。
throw shapes
- (British English)
to dance 跳舞 She spent the whole evening throwing shapes on the dance floor. 她整晚都在舞池裏跳舞。
- (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 作勢要打架；擺出氣勢洶洶的樣子 I was worried he might get violent but he was just throwing shapes. 我擔心他會動手，但他只是虛張聲勢。 - (figurative)
The two main investors threw some shapes during the debate. 兩名主要投資人在辯論時劍拔弩張，火藥味十足。