outline

American  

[out-lahyn] / ˈaʊtˌlaɪn /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to draw or display the outline of

2. to give the main features or general idea of

Related Words

See form.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of outline

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

Example Sentences

Archibald Monday outlined a few of her priorities to deliver value for shareholders, including plans for more cost savings and to develop surplus land near some of the steelmaker’s operations.

From The Wall Street Journal

That said, pensions are governed by contracts, and the agreement you signed outlines exactly what you are — and are not — permitted to do.

From MarketWatch

Graduates repay 9% of the amount earned above the threshold outlined in their plan.

From BBC

In a nearly hour-long speech that doubled as a pitch to Conservative voters at the party's convention in Calgary, Alberta, Poilievre outlined his vision for Canada's future should his party form the next government.

From BBC

That could give Latin American markets a boost, as Barron’s outlined earlier this month.

From Barron's

Related Words

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