contour

[kon-toor]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contour¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contour¹

C17: from French, from Italian contorno, from contornare to sketch, from tornare to _turn

Example Sentences

But Mr Soldin says body contouring is largely seen as cosmetic surgery and a low priority for NHS managers who must decide how to use limited government funding.

From BBC

The Times spoke to four senior UC officials about the deliberations, who explained the contours of the university’s approach.

From Los Angeles Times

Some hail it as the future of non-invasive contouring, but others condemn it as dystopian, and say the company is making women feel more insecure.

From BBC

And even that contour was ever-changing, different depending on what form Mansfield took on to please the world.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• curve 
• silhouette