/ʃeɪp ||; ʃep/noun1 [C,U] the form of the outer edges or surfaces of sth; an example of sth that has a particular form 外形；形状: a round/square/rectangular shape 圆形；正方形；长方形a cake in the shape ofa heart 心形的蛋糕clothes to fit people of all shapes and sizes 适合各种体形的人的衣服Squares, circles and triangles are all different shapes. 正方形、圆形和三角形都是不同的形状。I could just make out a dark shape in the distance. 我只能隐约辨出远处的一个黑影。The country is roughly square in shape. 这个国家大致呈正方形。
2 -shaped (used to form compound adjectives 用于构成复合形容词) having the shape mentioned 具有某种形状的: an L-shaped room L形的房间
3 [U] the physical condition of sb/sth; the good or bad state of sb/sth 情况；状态；状况: She was in such bad shape(= so ill) that she had to be taken to hospital. 她的身体状况很差，要送进医院治疗。I go swimming regularly to keep in shape. 我经常游泳以保持强健的体魄。
4 [sing] the shape (of sth) the organization, form or structure of sth 组织；形式；结构
out of shape 1 not in the usual or correct shape 变形；走样: My sweater's gone out of shape now that I've washed it. 我的套头毛衣洗涤后走了样。
2 not physically fit （身体）不健康: You're out of shape. You should get more exercise. 你身体孱弱，应该多做运动。
take shape to start to develop well 成形:
Plans to expand the company are beginning to take shape. 公司的扩展计划已开始有眉目。