outline

[out-lahyn]

noun

1. the line by which a figure or object is defined or bounded; contour.

2. a drawing or sketch restricted to line without shading or modeling of form.

3. a general sketch, account, or report, indicating only the main features, as of a book, subject, or project.

   an outline of medieval history; an outline of a speech.

   Synonyms: summary, synopsis, rough, draft, plan

4. outlines, the essential features or main aspects of something under discussion.

   At the first meeting, we gave her only the outlines of the project.

5. Printing.,  an ornamented type in which the outside contours of each character appear in black, with the inside left white.

verb (used with object)

outlined, outlining 

1. to draw the outline of, or draw in outline, as a figure or object.

   Synonyms: draft, delineate

2. to give an outline of; sketch the main features of.

   On the first day, the professor just outlined the course for us.

   Synonyms: draft, delineate

outline

/ ˈaʊtˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a preliminary or schematic plan, draft, account, etc

2. (usually plural) the important features of an argument, theory, work, etc

3. the line by which an object or figure is or appears to be bounded

4. 1. a drawing or manner of drawing consisting only of external lines

   2. ( as modifier )

      an outline map

verb

1. to draw or display the outline of

2. to give the main features or general idea of

Other Word Forms

• preoutline noun
• reoutline verb (used with object)
• well-outlined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of outline¹

First recorded in 1655–65; out- + line ¹

Synonym Study

See form.

Example Sentences

Businesses in Surrey have given mixed reactions to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget, which outlined spending and taxation plans for the years ahead.

Read more on BBC

In one reveal, Galvagna helped share an estate with five children, preparing handouts for descendants outlining their shares.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Fire Department and other local and state firefighting agencies — outlines concerns about “sensitive” plants, animal species and tribal sites.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

—Yields on U.K. government bonds were little changed in early trade as investors digest the fiscal measures outline in Wednesday’s budget announcement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In October, he outlined a number of strategies aimed at returning the company to growth in 2027.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blueprint 
• draft 
• drawing 
• framework 
• summary 
• synopsis