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to shape

to shape

328 3.4
To influence how a person or thing develops
  • verb
  • /ʃeɪp/
translation icon : moldear
  • The things you do today will help shape your entire future.
  • shape policy
  • shape immigration
  • shape lives

All of those things really shape what you do or don't do.

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Examples

  • Results of the needs assessment helped shape the trainings and monthly meetings.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Those beliefs shape what we expect of people.

  • Who are the people whose ideas have done the most to shape the nature of social work?

    Academic text (2011)
  • This is something that deeply shapes the people using it.

  • Therefore, the actual course that lives take is shaped by individual choices and historical chances.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Teachers' understanding of their own cultural identity influences and shapes the ways in which they view others.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A variety of historical factors have come to shape Western conceptions of man and nature as separate.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The experiences you have can shape your perspective on life.

  • Education plays a crucial role in shaping young minds.

  • Mentors can significantly shape the career paths of their apprentices.

Synonyms

to influence
vsto shape
591 2.2

To change how people and things think, act, or develop

can mean stronger control or final decision instead of only gentle affecting
to determine
vsto shape
282 3.1

To decide how something will happen or develop

allows influence rather than fixing one outcome
to form
vsto shape
156 1.6

To make or shape something

focuses on guiding development and character rather than creating things
to mold
vsto shape
  • US
42 3.6

To help form someone's character or ideas

is more general and less hands on in directing development

Antonyms

75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

Idioms

76 2.6

A person who is fit and healthy because they exercise regularly

19 8.4

Very upset about a small or unimportant thing

1 8.1

A warning that tells someone to get better or leave

Phrasal Verbs

37 3.7

To start to form and become clear, for example an idea or plan

23 3.2

Start to get better and more complete

Keep your body healthy and fit by doing regular exercise

to shape up
  • Informal
11 4.0

Start to behave and work better after a time of not trying

10 5.1

Quickly make a person or thing work better by firm action

To become a different shape

To become fit again after not exercising or being unwell

Make something better by working on it until it is ready

Compounds

1 1.0

A curved form with no sharp corners like a circle

leaf shape
  • Specialized
1 2.8

The outline of a leaf that helps identify plants

shape-up
  • Archaic
1 9.3

A morning way of choosing dock workers who gather and are picked for daily jobs

1 2.3

A shape with a round base that narrows to a single point at the top like an ice cream cone

1 1.9

A form that bends smoothly without sharp angles, like a rainbow

A shape with sharp corners and straight sides

1 3.4

A cone-like shape that is wide at one end and narrow at the other

1 3.9

A double curve that looks like the letter S

1 3.6

A shape wide at one end and narrow at the other

A rounded form that is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top like a bell

The way something becomes a different form when it is bent, heated, or pressed

A shape that curves inward like a bowl or satellite dish

convex shape
  • Specialized
4.3

A shape that curves outward everywhere like a ball or a lens

2.8

A round flat form like a coin or plate

Something that no longer looks like its original form after bending or heat

A thing that has no clear form, like a cloud or stain

Gaussian shape
  • Specialized
6.9

A smooth bell-shaped curve that shows how values spread around the average

The form of something made by nature, not changed by people

polygonal shape
  • Specialized
4.2

A flat figure with straight sides like a triangle or square

shape constancy
  • Specialized
7.5

Seeing a solid object like a door as the same form from different angles

wave shape
  • Specialized
5.8

The line on a graph that shows how a sound or signal changes over time

How Influential

to dominate
275 3.7
to determine
282 3.1
to shape
328 3.4
to influence
591 2.2
to affect
3.0

Surface Forms

shape infinitive
shaped past
shaped past participle
shaping present participle
shapes third person singular

Etymology

The word shape comes from the old English sceapian ('to form' or 'make'), and its meaning grew from making things to making people and ideas. That's why we say experiences or teachers shape someone — they form or influence who that person becomes.