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

Explanation

A silhouette is dark shadow, like a silhouette of a person standing under a street lamp, or a drawing that shows only the shape of an object. A silhouette, pronounced "sil-ooh-ET," can be mysterious. After all, you can only see the shape of the person or object. So, it's fitting that the word's origin is a little mysterious, too. It was coined for Etienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister. One theory is that Silhouette decorated his chateau with the kind of dark outline drawings that now bear his name.

Example Sentences

Over many decades, the queen in her public appearances maintained a silhouette of practicality over trend, usually a structured jacket and matching hat, along with Anello & Davide calf leather loafers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"The munition depicted in the video appears to be twice as long, consistent with the dimensions and silhouette of an Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missile," Capt Hawkins said.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

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 • Mar. 26, 2026

I’d stare into twilight-tinged corners of my bedroom, convincing myself that I could see a human-like silhouette lurking in the dark, and spending what felt like hours thinking of all the things it could be.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

He could just make out the silhouette of a person, coming closer.

From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers

Related Words

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