shape-up

1 of 2

noun

: a system of hiring workers and especially longshoremen by the day or shift by having applicants gather for each day's selection
also : an instance of such hiring practice

shape up

2 of 2

verb

shaped up; shaping up; shapes up

intransitive verb

: to improve to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior
shaping up at the gym

transitive verb

: to bring to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior

Examples of shape-up in a Sentence

Verb told his son that if he didn't shape up, he'd be grounded for a month this group of summer interns is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever hired
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Is there anything more powerful than a fresh shape-up? A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents, 7 Dec. 2023
Verb
With Conan O'Brien making his Oscars hosting debut and nominees like Timothée Chalamet, Zoe Saldaña, and Cynthia Erivo vying for top honors, the 97th Academy Awards is shaping up to be a must-watch event. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 Mix that with plenty of awkward moments and some ribald humor, and this is already shaping up to be yet another terrific season of one of HBO’s best shows. Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shape-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1920, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of shape-up was circa 1920

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shape-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shape-up. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

shape up

verb
(ˈ)shā-ˈpəp
: to improve to a good condition or standard
shape up and start studying
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