shape

basic, simple

The artist drew basic shapes on the canvas before adding details to the drawing.

characteristic, distinctive

The old oak tree had a characteristic shape that made it easy to spot from the road.

curious, interesting, unusual, weird

awkward

The package arrived in an awkward shape, so I had trouble fitting it in the cupboard.

original

geometric/geometrical, regular, symmetrical

complex

asymmetrical, irregular

odd, random

The puzzle pieces come in odd shapes that fit together perfectly.

solid, three-dimensional

aerodynamic

angular, arch, circular, cone/conical, cylindrical, diamond, dome, egg, elliptical, elongated, hemispherical, hexagonal, oblong, pentagonal, pointed, pyramid/pyramidal, rectangular, round, spherical, triangular

rounded, smooth

arrow, banana, cross, pear, star, T, etc.

The garden path winds in a gentle spiral shape through the flower beds.

blurred, ghostly, shadowy, vague

huge, massive

black, dark, grey

human

body

Regular exercise helped her achieve a healthier body shape over the course of a year.

cut out, draw, make, trace

The children carefully traced the shape of a butterfly onto their paper before colouring it in.

cut sth into, make sth in, produce sth in

The baker cut the dough into star shapes for the children's party.

come in, have

Modern smartphones have different shapes depending on the brand and model.

assume, make, take on

The clay took on an interesting shape as the artist's hands worked on the wheel.

keep, retain

My old baseball cap has kept its shape perfectly after all these years.

regain

change

lose

distort

Heat can distort the shape of plastic containers left in the sun.

distinguish, make out, see

In the dark room, I could barely distinguish the shape of the door.

appear, emerge, loom

A tall figure emerged from the darkness at the end of the hallway.

in the ~ of

The cake was decorated in the shape of a heart for the wedding.

out of shape

My old hat got bent out of shape after I sat on it yesterday.

oblong/rectangular/hexagonal, etc. in shape

The dining table we bought has a square shape, so it fits perfectly in the corner of our kitchen.

general

changing

final

future

alter, change, determine, influence

Technology has greatly influenced the shape of modern communication over the past decade.

take

The new community center is finally taking shape after months of construction work.

give

The artist used clay to give shape to her imagination and create something beautiful.

in any shape or form

She doesn't enjoy horror movies in any shape or form.

the shape of things to come

That new AI technology might be the shape of things to come in education.

fine, good, great

bad, poor

physical

After months of training, the athlete was in excellent physical shape for the competition.

get sb/sth into, knock/lick/whip sb/sth into

The new coach whipped the team into shape before the championship tournament.

be in, keep in, stay in

My doctor said I need to keep in shape by exercising three times a week.

be out of

profoundly

Our childhood experiences profoundly shaped the people we became as adults.

largely

actively, deliberately

The teacher deliberately shaped her students' character through years of patient guidance.

help (to)

a part/role in shaping sth