contour

American  

[kon-toor] / ˈkɒn tʊər /

noun

1. the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.

   Synonyms:

   boundary, form, configuration

2. contour line.

3. Phonetics. a distinctive pattern of changes in pitch, stress, or tone extending across all or part of an utterance, especially across a sentence, and contributing to meaning.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark with contour lines.

2. to make or form the contour or outline of.

3. to build (a road, railroad track, etc.) in conformity with the contour of the land.

4. to mold or shape so as to fit a certain configuration.

   cars with seats that are contoured for comfort.

5. to apply foundation and bronzer along the natural bone structure of (the face) to create definition.

   ways to contour your nose.

adjective

1. molded or shaped to fit a particular contour or form.

   contour seats.

2. Agriculture. of or used in a system of plowing, cultivating, sowing, etc., along the contour lines of the land in order to trap water runoff and prevent erosion.

contour British  

/ ˈkɒntʊə /

noun

1. the outline of a mass of land, figure, or body; a defining line

2. 1. See contour line

   2. ( as modifier )

      a contour map

3. (often plural) the shape or surface, esp of a curving form

   the contours of her body were full and round

4. (modifier) shaped to fit the form of something

   a contour chair

5. a rising and falling variation pattern, as in music and intonation

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verb

1. to shape so as to form the contour of something

2. to mark contour lines on

3. to construct (a road, railway, etc) to follow the outline of the land

Other Word Forms

• recontour verb (used with object)
• uncontoured adjective

Etymology

Origin of contour

First recorded in 1655–65; from French, equivalent to con- + tour “a turn,” modeled on Italian contorno, derivative of contornare “to outline”; con-, tour, turn

Explanation

Contour is the outline or shape of something. A shoe that fits well along the contours or shape of your foot is a good fit. Contour comes from the Italian contorno meaning "to draw a line," which is precisely what you are doing when you trace the contour of something. A road that contours a mountain follows along its edge and a mattress that contours to your body, adjusts to your shape. You might buy the kind of shoes that are designed to contour or mold to the shape of your feet over time, in which case you'll have to break them in.

Example Sentences

Yes, the contour palette is back, though Patrick says “no-makeup makeup” is still very much here.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

Sometimes they are used to contour or shape the nose or lips.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

It’s one of three geometric abstractions Davis made, their shapes based on the map contour of a battleground state in the revolutionary election year that brought Barack Obama to the presidency.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2025

Yeah, the Chinese government is definitely mining my data, but so is Mark Zuckerberg, and Zuckerberg’s Facebook never gave me the perfect step-by-step tutorial of how to contour my face for a truly flawless finish.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2025

“Fitches Brook is it,” I say, pointing to a cluster of brown contour lines drawn close together which indicate a steep hill.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Related Words

• curve
• silhouette