

List of Shapes Name with Pictures and Definitions
Learning different shapes name in English is essential for school exams, competitive tests, and daily conversation. Knowing 2D and 3D shapes helps students describe objects, answer questions, and excel in topics like geometry. This guide clearly explains shapes name, their properties, and real-life uses – made simple for English learners at all levels.
Shapes Name List with Pictures and Examples
Below is a table of common shapes name in English, their definitions, and examples of where you might see them in daily life. These forms appear in textbooks, exams, and general vocabulary.
Shape Name | Definition | Example Object |
---|---|---|
Circle | A round 2D shape where every point is equidistant from the centre | Clock, coin |
Triangle | A polygon with 3 sides and 3 corners | Road sign, pizza slice |
Square | 4 sides of equal length with all right angles | Chessboard, tile |
Rectangle | 4 sides with opposite sides equal and all angles right angles | Book, door |
Pentagon | Polygon with 5 sides and 5 corners | The Pentagon building |
Hexagon | Polygon with 6 sides and 6 corners | Beehive cell |
Octagon | Polygon with 8 sides and 8 corners | Stop sign |
Oval | An elongated round shape, like an egg | Egg, mirror |
Cube | 3D shape with 6 equal square faces | Dice, Rubik’s cube |
Sphere | Perfectly round 3D object; every point is same distance from centre | Ball, globe |
Cylinder | 3D shape with 2 equal parallel circles and curved surface | Can, pipe |
Cone | Has a circular base and a point (vertex) at the top | Ice cream cone, traffic cone |
Cuboid | 3D box shape; faces are rectangles | Bricks, books |
Pyramid | 3D shape; base is a polygon, sides are triangles meeting at a point | Egyptian pyramid |
2D (Flat) Shapes Name with Properties
2D shapes are flat, having only length and width. Students need to memorize their sides and corners for exams. Here is a quick chart showing shapes name by number of sides and vertices.
2D Shape | Number of Sides | Number of Corners (Vertices) |
---|---|---|
Triangle | 3 | 3 |
Square | 4 (equal sides) | 4 |
Rectangle | 4 | 4 |
Pentagon | 5 | 5 |
Hexagon | 6 | 6 |
Octagon | 8 | 8 |
Circle | 0 | 0 |
Oval | 0 | 0 |
3D (Solid) Shapes Name with Features
3D shapes have length, width, and height. They are found in real-life objects and are key in geometry and English speaking. Understanding the difference between 2D and 3D shapes name is important for students.
3D Shape | Faces | Edges | Vertices (Corners) | Example |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cube | 6 | 12 | 8 | Dice |
Cuboid | 6 | 12 | 8 | Book |
Sphere | 1 (curved) | 0 | 0 | Globe |
Cylinder | 3 (2 flat circles + 1 curved) | 2 | 0 | Can |
Cone | 2 (1 flat circle + 1 curved) | 1 | 1 | Ice cream cone |
Pyramid | 5 (square base + 4 triangles) | 8 | 5 | Pyramid |
Shapes Name in Daily Life
Recognizing shapes name around you helps increase English vocabulary and visual memory. Students can connect classroom learning to real-world things using these examples.
- Ball: Sphere
- Window: Rectangle or Square
- Table-top: Rectangle
- Egg: Oval
- Dice: Cube
- Stop sign: Octagon
- Pencil box: Cuboid
- Pizza slice: Triangle
- Honeycomb: Hexagon
Common Confusions: Square vs Rectangle, Cube vs Cuboid
Students often mix up similar shapes name. A square has all sides equal, while a rectangle has only opposite sides equal. A cube’s faces are all squares; a cuboid’s faces are rectangles.
Tips for Remembering Shapes Name
Practice using flashcards, drawing each shape, or matching objects around your home. At Vedantu, we simplify shapes name for quick revision and lasting understanding – perfect for exam prep, interviews, and daily speaking.
Further Learning and Related Topics
To extend your English vocabulary, try fun activities like colouring shapes, or explore our lesson plan on shapes and colours. Check shape games for kids or learn to link vegetable names and colour names to basic shapes.
Page Summary
This page covered shapes name in English, with pictures, properties, and real-life examples. Understanding 2D and 3D shapes supports English learning, geometry, and competitive exams. Practice recognizing, spelling, and describing shapes for school, daily use, and strong exam scores.
FAQs on Shapes Name in English: List with Pictures and Examples
1. What are the names of all basic shapes in English?
Basic shapes in English include common 2D shapes like circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles, and common 3D shapes such as cubes, spheres, and cylinders. Learning these basic shapes is crucial for geometry and everyday life.
2. What is a 3D shape? Can you list three 3D shapes?
A 3D shape, also known as a solid shape, has three dimensions: length, width, and height. Three examples of 3D shapes are:
• Cube: A 3D shape with six square faces.
• Sphere: A perfectly round 3D shape.
• Cylinder: A 3D shape with two circular bases and a curved surface.
3. How do I remember different shapes names for exams?
Memorizing shapes names effectively involves visual learning and repetition. Try these tips:
• Use flashcards with pictures of each shape.
• Draw the shapes repeatedly, labeling their parts (sides, corners).
• Create a list of shapes grouped by properties (e.g., shapes with 3 sides, shapes with 4 sides).
• Relate shapes to real-world objects to improve retention.
4. What’s the difference between a square and a rectangle?
Both squares and rectangles are 2D shapes with four sides and four corners. However, a square has all four sides equal in length, while a rectangle only has opposite sides equal. A square is a special type of rectangle.
5. Are there shapes with more than ten sides?
Yes, polygons can have many sides. Shapes with more than ten sides are called polygons, such as a hendecagon (11 sides), dodecagon (12 sides), and so on. The number of sides determines the name of the polygon.
6. What are some examples of shapes in daily life?
Shapes are everywhere! Think of:
• A circle: a plate, a coin
• A square: a window pane, a book cover
• A rectangle: a door, a television screen
• A cube: a Rubik's Cube, a dice
• A sphere: a ball, a globe
7. What are the names of all shapes?
There are countless shapes! The names depend on the number of sides (for polygons), dimensions (2D or 3D), and other properties. Common shapes include circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, cubes, spheres, and many more geometric shapes.
8. What are 10 basic shapes?
Ten basic shapes could include: circle, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, cube, sphere, and cylinder. These cover both 2D and 3D shapes.
9. What are 3D shapes called?
3D shapes are also known as solid shapes or geometric solids. They have three dimensions: length, width, and height. Examples include cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, and pyramids.
10. What is the difference between a square and a rectangle?
A square and a rectangle are both quadrilaterals (four-sided shapes). The difference is that all four sides of a square are equal in length, while a rectangle only requires opposite sides to be equal. Therefore, a square is a special kind of rectangle.
11. Shapes names for kids?
Teaching shapes names to kids requires visual aids and hands-on activities. Start with basic 2D shapes like circles, squares, and triangles, then introduce 3D shapes like cubes and spheres. Use real-world examples and games to make learning fun.
12. Shapes names and pictures?
Visual learning is essential for understanding shapes. Combine the name of each shape with its corresponding image for effective learning. Use image search to find clear pictures of circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, cubes, spheres, and other shapes. This will help you easily identify and remember their characteristics.

















