English Explanatory Dictionary

shipshape

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Meticulously neat and tidy.
adv
  1. Neatly and tidily to a meticulous extent.

Pronunciation

/ˈʃɪpʃeɪp/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-shipshape.wav /ˈʃɪpˌʃeɪp/

Word forms

shipshape more shipshape most shipshape ship-shape

Etymology

From ship + shapen (“shaped; wrought with a definite shape”), later shortened to shape. The word is of nautical origin, based on the obligation of a sailor to keep his or her quarters arranged neatly and securely due to the limited space typically allotted to service members aboard ship, and against turbulence at sea.

Synonyms

shipshape and Bristol fashion tight in order neat neat and tidy neat as a new pin neat as a pin nice as ninepence orderly prest regular ruly shipshape tidy tiptop tosh trig trim well-kept handsomely

Antonyms

chaotic cluttered disorderly messy ree-raw riotous sluttish tempestuous tumultuary tumultuous turbulent untidy

Derived words

shipshape and Bristol fashion shipshapely unshipshape
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