Meaning & use
shapeshift
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Meaning
verbintransitive
To change your physical form, especially in stories about magic or advanced technology.
Grammar: No object: you shapeshift into something. Do not say 'shapeshift something'.
Patterns
- shapeshift into something
- shapeshift between something and something
In the story, the witch can shapeshift into a cat.
Some aliens in the series shapeshift to look human.
He learned to shapeshift between his human and dragon forms.
Word forms
| third person singular | shapeshifts |
|---|---|
| past tense | shapeshifted |
| past participle | shapeshifted |
| -ing form | shapeshifting |
Common combinations
- shapeshift into an animal
- The hero can shapeshift into an animal when he is in danger.
- shapeshift at will
- Powerful spirits can shapeshift at will.
- able to shapeshift
- The creature is able to shapeshift in order to hide.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- shapeshifter noun
- A being that can shapeshift.
- shapeshifting noun
- The ability or act of changing form.
Commonly confused: shapeshift or shift shape?
shapeshift vs shift shape
A less common way to say the same thing; 'shapeshift' is the standard verb form.
Practice
The creature can ______ into a bird to escape.
Choose one answer.
After the modal 'can', use the base form 'shapeshift'. 'Shapeshifts' is for third-person singular present without a modal, 'shapeshifting' is a participle/gerund, and 'shapeshifted' is past tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “shapeshift”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.