Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense outlines, present participle outlining, past tense, past participle outlined
1. verb
If you outline an idea or a plan, you explain it in a general way.
The mayor outlined his plan to clean up the town's image. [VERB noun]
The methods outlined in this book are only suggestions. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: summarize, review, draft, plan More Synonyms of outline
2. variable noun [oft inNOUN]
An outline is a general explanation or description of something.
Following is an outline of the survey findings. [+ of]
The proposals were given in outline by the Secretary of State.
Synonyms: summary, review, résumé, abstract More Synonyms of outline
3. passive verb
You say that an object is outlined when you can see its general shape because there is light behind it.
The Ritz was outlined against the lights up there. [beVERB-ed]
It was a beautiful sight outlined above the starry sky. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: silhouette, etch, delineate More Synonyms of outline
4. countable noun
The outline of something is its general shape, especially when it cannot be clearly seen.
He could see only the hazy outline of the goalposts. [+ of]
Synonyms: shape, lines, form, figure More Synonyms of outline
More Synonyms of outline
outline in British English
(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.
a.
a drawing or manner of drawing consisting only of external lines
b.
(as modifier)
an outline map
verb(transitive)
5.
to draw or display the outline of
6.
to give the main features or general idea of
outline in American English
(ˈaʊtˌlaɪn)
noun
1.
a line bounding the limits of an object, showing its shape; contour line
2.
a sketch showing only the contours of an object without use of shading
3. [also pl.]
a general plan without detail
4.
a summary of a subject, consisting of a systematic listing of its most important points
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈoutˌlined or ˈoutˌlining
5.
to draw a profile of; draw in outline
6.
to give or write an outline, or the main points, of
SIMILAR WORDS: form
SYNONYMY NOTE: outline is used of the line bounding the limits of an object [the sketch shows only the outline of the skyscrapers]; contour, specifically applied to the configuration of a land mass, in extension stressesthe shape of an object or mass as determined by its outline [the soft contour of her waist]; profile is used of the outline or contour of the face in a side view or of the outline ofany object as it is seen against a background [the profile of the trees against the sky]; silhouette applies to a profile portrait, esp. of the head and usually in solid black, or itmay be used of any dark shape seen against a light background [the silhouette of a house against the moonlight]
Derived forms
outliner (ˈoutˌliner)
noun
Examples of 'outline' in a sentence
outline
May has already outlined plans to help with the first new grammar schools for decades.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Tomorrow she will outline plans, including increased staffing, to tackle prison safety and reform.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The outline manifesto also includes a commitment to abolish university tuition fees and a new lifelong'national education service '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has promised to outline plans to revive the chain's fortunes when he delivers a comprehensive review in November.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can see the rough outlines, and we had some original diaries to help paint a picture, but it has slowly been reclaimed by nature.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the past, the ability to deliver the kinds of approaches outlined above would have been well beyond the reach of most service organisations and particularly SMEs.
Computing (2010)
Draw round outlines on thin card then cut out.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This theory outlines criteria that are important when deciding which assets are worth buying.
Mishkin, Frederic S. Financial Markets, Institutions and Money (1995)
The report also outlined plans to tackle online music and film piracy with a new agency.
The Sun (2009)
The pattern of change for home ownership outlined in this book has been one of fragmentation.
Forrest, Ray & Murie, Alan & Williams, Peter Home-ownership - differentiation and fragmentation (1990)
They will be afforded time to outline how they plan to put it right.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We put to them the main points of the story outlined above.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They have their first steps outlined for them.
Christianity Today (2000)
This chapter outlines the main financial reports included in the annual report and accounts of a business.
Harrison, John Finance for the Non-Financial Manager (1989)
The outlines are clearly visible about three feet below the earth in what is now open countryside.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The outline had become something of a limitation more than it was a support.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Detectives are also expected to outline a new theory in the case.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In this respect, the relaxation methods already outlined could be seen as forms of meditation.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
Draw around the outline and then fill softer part of the lip, and add a hot hue.
The Sun (2014)
The growth and borrowing figures outlined yesterday showed that there is still a very long, hard road ahead of us.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He then correctly sketches the outline of the light bulb I drew.
The Sun (2013)
For the final, the teams were required to film a short video outlining their concept and prepare a technical poster for presentation to the judges.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In early 1986, the government made public the general outline of the new procedure.
Bramwell, Anna C Refugees in the Age of Total War (1988)
In other languages
outline
British English: outline /ˈaʊtˌlaɪn/ NOUN
An outline is a general explanation or description of something.
Following is an outline of the survey findings.
American English: outline
Arabic: تَلْخِيصٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: esboço
Chinese: 大纲
Croatian: obris
Czech: nástin
Danish: skitse
Dutch: schets
European Spanish: descripción general
Finnish: yleiskuva
French: aperçu
German: Umriss
Greek: περίγραμμα
Italian: profilo
Japanese: 概要
Korean: 개요
Norwegian: omriss
Polish: zarys
European Portuguese: esboço
Romanian: rezumat
Russian: план
Latin American Spanish: contorno
Swedish: sammanfattning
Thai: คำอธิบายอย่างคร่าวๆ
Turkish: özet
Ukrainian: схема
Vietnamese: đề cương
British English: outline VERB
If you outline an idea or a plan, you explain it in a general way.
The mayor outlined his plan to clean up the town's image.