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Meaning & use

shaped

adjective, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ʃeɪpt/
US/ʃeɪpt/

“shaped” is a form of “shape”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectiveafter a verb

    Having a particular outline or form, often used in combination with another word.

    Grammar: Often forms compounds: heart-shaped, pear-shaped.

    Patterns

    • shaped like something
    • be shaped like something

    The cookies were shaped like stars.

    She wore a heart-shaped pendant.

    The lake is shaped like a boot.

  2. adjectiveafter a verbfigurative

    Influenced and formed over time by experiences, events or people.

    Grammar: Often followed by by: shaped by experience.

    Patterns

    • shaped by something

    Her views were shaped by years abroad.

    The town was shaped by the railroad.

    He is a leader shaped by hardship.

  3. verbtransitive

    Past tense and past participle of shape: to give something a form or to influence how it develops.

    Grammar: Takes an object: she shaped the clay.

    Patterns

    • shaped something into something
    • shaped something by something

    He shaped the clay into a bowl.

    Events shaped the nation's identity.

    Teachers shaped her love of reading.

Word forms

base formshape
third person singularshapes
-ing formshaping

Common combinations

shaped by
His character was shaped by hard work.
heart-shaped
The box was heart-shaped.
shaped like
The cloud was shaped like a rabbit.
oddly shaped
She carried an oddly shaped package.
well shaped
He had a well shaped beard.
shaped into
The dough was shaped into small balls.

Synonyms and how they differ

formed
Formed is broader and need not suggest deliberate shaping by hand.
molded
Molded suggests pressing into a mold or strong influence over a person.
influenced
Influenced is about effect only and has no sense of physical form.
fashioned
Fashioned is more formal and suggests skilled making.

Opposites

shapelessformless

Word family

shape noun
outer form
shape verb
to give form to
shapely adjective
having an attractive form
shapeless adjective
without a clear form
reshape verb
to give a new form to

Commonly confused: shaped or shaved?

shaped vs shaved

Shaved means cut off hair with a razor, while shaped means given a form.

Practice

Which phrase uses shaped in a figurative way?

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