Meaning

(originally nautical) Meticulously neat and tidy..

Definitions by Sense

1. (originally nautical) Meticulously neat and tidy.
2. (originally nautical) Neatly and tidily to a meticulous extent.

Example Sentences

SHIP-shape, in a seaman-like manner; as "That mast is not rigged ship-shape;" "Put her about ship-shape," &c.

[I]t would have been more ship-shape to lower the bight of a rope, or a running bow-line, below me, than to seize an old sea-man by his head-lanyard; [...]

When we set out on the jolly voyage of life, what a brave fleet there is around us, as stretching our fresh canvas to the breeze, all "shipshape and Bristol fashion," pennons flying, music playing, cheering each other as we pass, we are rather amused than alarmed when some awkward comrade goes right ashore for want of pilotage!

[G]lad to see you, gentlemen—steerage not quite shipshape at present—overhauling ship, you see; but when we once get under way, get things shipshape, you know.

Annie, my girl, cheer up, be comforted, / Look to the babes, and till I come again, / Keep everything shipshape, for I must go.

Well, Captain Smollett, what have you to say? All well, I hope; all shipshape and seaworthy?

― When are you going out fishing again? / ― Oh, in about six weeks, when we're shipshape aloft.

Having made sure everything is shipshape, the colonel goes back to the controls and starts to bring the plane down.

Word Forms

• more shipshape
• most shipshape
• ship-shape

Synonyms for ship shape

Antonyms for ship shape

Related Words

When Should You Use Ship shape?

Use ship shape when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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