VocabDictionary

take shape

/teษชk สƒeษชp/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.idiom

To assume a definite or clear form; to develop into a recognizable or organized state.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œThe new project began to take shape after weeks of brainstorming and planning.โ€
  • โ€œAs the fog lifted, the distant mountains started to take shape on the horizon.โ€
Share & Learn With Friends

Share โ€œtake shapeโ€ with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œtake shapeโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The phrase combines the verb 'take' (from Old English 'tacan', meaning to grasp or seize) with 'shape' (from Old English 'sceap', meaning form or creation). Historically, it evolved from the sense of something 'assuming' or 'acquiring' a physical form, metaphorically extending to abstract concepts or plans becoming concrete or organized.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine a sculptor's clay: as they work, the formless lump begins to 'take' its final 'shape'.

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œtake shapeโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œtake shapeโ€ in English?

In English, take shape (idiom) is defined as: โ€œTo assume a definite or clear form; to develop into a recognizable or organized state.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œtake shapeโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œThe new project began to take shape after weeks of brainstorming and planning.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œtake shapeโ€?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œtake shapeโ€?

The phrase combines the verb 'take' (from Old English 'tacan', meaning to grasp or seize) with 'shape' (from Old English 'sceap', meaning form or creation). Historically, it evolved from the sense of something 'assuming' or 'acquiring' a physical form, metaphorically extending to abstract concepts or plans becoming concrete or organized.