Shaped

Shaped is the past participle form of the verb shape. As an adjective, it denotes something that has been given a particular form, structure, or contour. It can describe physical objects as well as outcomes of processes or design decisions.

In everyday use, shaped describes tangible forms: a shaped stone, a shaped piece of metal, or a shaped loaf. In manufacturing and engineering, shaped components are produced to a defined profile or cross-section. In military technology, a shaped charge uses a specifically formed explosive to focus energy on a target.

Shaped is also used in more abstract senses. Things can be described as shaped by forces, experiences, or conditions—such as a landscape shaped by erosion or a culture shaped by history. These usages emphasize process and influence rather than an inherent, unchanging form.

Etymology and related terms: shaped derives from the verb shape, with roots in Old English. Related words include shape (as noun and verb), shaping (present participle), and synonyms such as formed, molded, or contoured. The term is common across disciplines, from everyday description to technical contexts.