Shipshape
/ˈʃɪpʃeɪp/ adj, adv
adj, adv ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Meticulously neat and tidy.
"SHIP-shape, in a seaman-like manner; as "That mast is not rigged ship-shape;" "Put her about ship-shape," &c."
Adjective
- 1 characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder wordnet
Adverb
- 1 Neatly and tidily to a meticulous extent.
"No—sir—if I sink, I sink; but d——e, I'll go down ship-shape and with dignity."
Example
More examples"SHIP-shape, in a seaman-like manner; as "That mast is not rigged ship-shape;" "Put her about ship-shape," &c."
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.