A "U-shape" refers to a geometric form that resembles the letter "U." It is characterized by two parallel sides that curve downward and then upward, creating a hollow center. This shape is commonly found in various contexts, such as in design, architecture, and even in graphs representing certain types of data. In statistics, a U-shape can describe a relationship between two variables where the values decrease to a minimum point before increasing again. This pattern can be observed in various phenomena, such as the relationship between age and happiness, where individuals may experience lower happiness in midlife but report higher levels in older age.