Word
shaping
Phoneticsshap·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃeɪpɪŋ/
UK/ʃˈeɪpɪŋ/
Definitions
01giving form or influence
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of giving something a specific shape, character, or direction.
n. the process of influencing the development or form of something, whether physical or abstract.
“The shaping of the new law took many months of debate.”
“The shaping of public opinion was heavily influenced by the media's framing of the economic crisis during the election cycle.”
Synonyms
02behavioral training
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Psychology Technical
n. a way of teaching a new skill by rewarding every small step toward the final goal.
n. a method of training by which successive approximations of a target behavior are reinforced.
“The trainer used shaping to teach the dog how to open the door.”
“Through the process of shaping, the therapist helped the patient gradually overcome their social anxiety by reinforcing increasingly complex interactions.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun in behavioral contexts.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The artists wrote in their letter: “The climate crisis is no longer something we fear for future generations; it is shaping our lives today.” “Over time, these shared beliefs can become part of a team’s identity, shaping how it responds under pressure.” “This method of shaping stone is known as "knapping."
Elephant bone would have been especially suitable for this task.” “They may be unserious but there’s no denying musicals hold a powerful hand in shaping American life.” Etymology
From Middle English schapynge, equivalent to shape + -ing.
From Middle English shapinge, shapende, schapende, schappande, from Old English sċyppende, sċeppende, from Proto-West Germanic skappjandī, from Proto-Germanic skapjandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *skapjaną (“to form, shape, create”), equivalent to shape + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/shaping