Added 10 October 2026
shipshape
/ˈʃɪpʃeɪp/ adjective
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about shipshape at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Meticulously neat and tidy.
adverb
- Neatly and tidily to a meticulous extent.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)