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

It came not long after Frabwick’s silhouette disappeared—the soft, low crackle of the Afterlife welcoming a new soul into its embrace.

From Literature

Unlike most other officers at the time, Napoleon wore his hat sideways, which gave him a distinct silhouette easily recognised by his troops in battle.

From Barron's

On our right rose the low sandy hills of the dune country, soldiers silhouetted on the ridges.

From Literature

As of yet he’s just an outline, a silhouette against the moonlight.

From Literature

In horror, more is more — more gore, more jump scares, more shadowed silhouettes; all in service of scaring the viewer.

From Salon

Related Words

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