adjective
shipshape
SHIP-shayp/ˈʃɪpʃeɪp/
Neat, orderly, and in good condition.
The boat's shipshape interior has neatly coiled ropes and aligned tools.
Etymology
A ship’s “shape” here is its proper arrangement, not its outline. Sailing ships needed neat, serviceable rigging stowed correctly, so shipshape became a word for thorough order and good condition.
More examples
- We leave the workshop shipshape at the end of each day.
- A few repairs soon put the cottage back in shipshape condition.
- The crew keeps the boat shipshape and ready to sail.
Forms
shipshape
Similar words
- tidy
- Emphasizes neat arrangement rather than overall condition or good repair.
- orderly
- Emphasizes systematic arrangement rather than cleanliness or good repair.
- well-kept
- Emphasizes ongoing care that preserves a place's good condition.