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

Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn to trumpet the bust in a news conference that outlined one of the most dramatic scandals in the recent history of American sports.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In one instance outlined in the second indictment, Rozier allegedly told co-conspirators that he would be leaving a game early, and the gambling ring bet that he wouldn’t score a certain amount of points.

Read more on Barron's

Beijing’s new five-year plan doubles down on its push for technology self-reliance and advanced manufacturing, but its newly outlined policy priorities could further fuel its tensions with the U.S.

Read more on Barron's

Sabrina Frias looked at the paper, which outlined his recovery and mentioned that he had been waiting for this moment his whole life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“When you outline all the expectations up front, it reduces the chance of disappointment,” said Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and certified financial planner.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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