silhouette

American  

[sil-oo-et] / ˌsɪl uˈɛt /

noun

1. a two-dimensional representation of the outline of an object, as a cutout or configurational drawing, uniformly filled in with black, especially a black-paper, miniature cutout of the outlines of a person's face in profile.

2. the outline or general shape of something.

   the slim silhouette of a skyscraper.

3. a dark image outlined against a lighter background.

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verb (used with object)

silhouetted, silhouetting

1. to show in or as if in a silhouette.

2. Printing. to remove the background details from (a halftone cut) so as to produce an outline effect.

silhouette British  

/ ˌsɪluːˈɛt /

noun

1. the outline of a solid figure as cast by its shadow

2. an outline drawing filled in with black, often a profile portrait cut out of black paper and mounted on a light ground

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verb

1. (tr) to cause to appear in silhouette

Other Word Forms

• unsilhouetted adjective

Etymology

Origin of silhouette

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French à la silhouette, after Etienne de Silhouette (1709–67), French finance minister; the surname Silhouette is ultimately from Basque Zilhoeta, from zilo, zilho, zulo “hole” + -eta, toponymic suffix

Example Sentences

The silhouette of a child appeared on the moonlit wall.

From Literature

As the glass “magazines” are removed, glowing silhouettes mark their absence.

From Los Angeles Times

His designs created a flattering silhouette, with cinched belts at the waist and structured shoulders heavily peppered across the collection.

From BBC

The velvety silhouette feels as distant as the sea, whose dark surface is sliced by the banister.

From The Wall Street Journal

The logo of Cloverfields Capital features a silhouette of the house.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• contour
• likeness
• portrait
• shade
• shadow
• shape