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outline

[ out-lahyn ]
/ ˈaʊtˌlaɪn /
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See synonyms for: outline / outlined / outlines / outlining on Thesaurus.com

noun
verb (used with object), outĀ·lined, outĀ·linĀ·ing.
to draw the outline of, or draw in outline, as a figure or object.
to give an outline of; sketch the main features of: On the first day, the professor just outlined the course for us.
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Origin of outline

First recorded in 1655–65; out- + line1

synonym study for outline

1. See form.

OTHER WORDS FROM outline

preĀ·outĀ·line, noun, verb (used with object), preĀ·outĀ·lined, preĀ·outĀ·linĀ·ing.reĀ·outĀ·line, verb (used with object), reĀ·outĀ·lined, reĀ·outĀ·linĀ·ing.well-outlined, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use outline in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for outline

outline
/ (ˈaʊtˌlaɪn) /

noun
a preliminary or schematic plan, draft, account, etc
(usually plural) the important features of an argument, theory, work, etc
the line by which an object or figure is or appears to be bounded
  1. a drawing or manner of drawing consisting only of external lines
  2. (as modifier)an outline map
verb (tr)
to draw or display the outline of
to give the main features or general idea of
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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