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

“But I was doing good work, wasn’t I? Even Aaron said I had a good outline.”

Read more on Salon

The Magic Eraser in Google Photos, which is available for iOS and Android, automatically outlined the other tourists.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In his letter to the head of the regulator, Stride outlined briefings which were made in the run-up to the Budget over the picture of the country's finances, the economy, and speculation over tax rises.

Read more on BBC

Working from the two newly described mummies, the researchers were able to assemble a complete, fleshy outline of Edmontosaurus annectens.

Read more on Science Daily

The changes outlined by Prasad are likely to reshape how vaccines are developed in the U.S. and have major impacts on vaccine makers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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