Collocations for shape - noun
1. physical outline
ADJ.
basic, simple
The children cut the paper into various simple shapes.
The children cut the paper into various simple shapes.
characteristic, distinctive
I recognized the distinctive shape of a Boeing-747.
I recognized the distinctive shape of a Boeing-747.
curious, interesting, unusual, weird | awkward
The desk was an awkward shape and wouldn''t fit through the door.
The desk was an awkward shape and wouldn''t fit through the door.
original | geometric/geometrical, regular, symmetrical | complex | asymmetrical, irregular | odd, random
tiles of random shape
tiles of random shape
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, wedge | rounded, smooth | arrow, banana, cross, pear, star, T, etc.
The road forms an L shape. | The bruise was a sort of mushroom shape.
The road forms an L shape. | The bruise was a sort of mushroom shape.
blurred, ghostly, shadowy, vague | huge, massive | black, dark, grey | human | body
You can''t change your natural body shape.
You can''t change your natural body shape.
VERB + SHAPE
cut out, draw, make, trace
First draw the rough shape of your chosen animal. | Fold the paper to make the shape of a cone.
First draw the rough shape of your chosen animal. | Fold the paper to make the shape of a cone.
cut sth into, make sth in, produce sth in
a cheese similar to Brie but produced in a different shape
a cheese similar to Brie but produced in a different shape
come in, have
Tables come in various shapes.
Tables come in various shapes.
assume, make, take on
Ordinary things assumed different shapes in the mist.
Ordinary things assumed different shapes in the mist.
keep, retain
These garments will retain their shape even with repeated washing.
These garments will retain their shape even with repeated washing.
regain | change | lose | distort
The wide-angle lens distorts shapes.
The wide-angle lens distorts shapes.
distinguish, make out, see
I could just make out the shapes of animals in the field.
I could just make out the shapes of animals in the field.
SHAPE + VERB
appear, emerge, loom
Ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog.
Ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog.
PREP.
in the ~ of
a doormat in the shape of a cat
a doormat in the shape of a cat
PHRASES
out of shape
The bicycle had been battered out of shape.
The bicycle had been battered out of shape.
oblong/rectangular/hexagonal, etc. in shape
The island is roughly circular in shape.
The island is roughly circular in shape.
2. structure/nature of sth
ADJ.
general | changing | final | future
VERB + SHAPE
alter, change, determine, influence
He did much to determine the shape of Europe''s political map at that time.
He did much to determine the shape of Europe''s political map at that time.
take
A wonderful idea began to take shape in her brain.
A wonderful idea began to take shape in her brain.
give
the words we use to give a shape to our feelings
the words we use to give a shape to our feelings
PHRASES
in any shape or form
I can''t stand insects in any shape or form.
I can''t stand insects in any shape or form.
the shape of things to come
This revolutionary transport system could be the shape of things to come.
This revolutionary transport system could be the shape of things to come.
3. good or bad condition
ADJ.
fine, good, great | bad, poor | physical
He''s 64, but he''s in better physical shape than I am.
He''s 64, but he''s in better physical shape than I am.
VERB + SHAPE
get sb/sth into, knock/lick/whip sb/sth into
Get your body into shape for the summer! | Leave the boy with me - I''ll soon knock him into shape!
Get your body into shape for the summer! | Leave the boy with me - I''ll soon knock him into shape!
be in, keep in, stay in
You are in pretty good shape for your age. | She likes to stay in shape.
You are in pretty good shape for your age. | She likes to stay in shape.
be out of