determine and shape share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. determine means “establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study”. shape means “any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)”. shape is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/dəˈtɝmən/
1.v.establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
“find the product of two numbers”
2.v.shape or influence; give direction to
“experience often determines ability”
3.v.fix conclusively or authoritatively
“set the rules”
| determine | shape | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dəˈtɝmən/ | /ˈʃeɪp/ |
| Said | duh-TUR-muhn | shayp |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Letters | 9 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 8 | 11 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | find, find out, ascertain | form, configuration, contour |
Full entry for determine · Full entry for shape · More comparisons
/ˈʃeɪp/
1.n.any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
“he could barely make out their shapes”
2.n.the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance
“geometry is the mathematical science of shape”
3.n.alternative names for the body of a human being
“Leonardo studied the human body”