outline
1 of 2noun
out·line ˈau̇t-ˌlīn 
1
a
: a line that marks the outer limits of an object or figure : boundary
the jagged outline of the mountains
b
: shape
the sharpening outline of her face
Willa Cather
Willa Cather2
a
: a style of drawing in which contours are marked without shading
drew a dog in outline
b
: a sketch in outline
prepared several outlines of the suggested mural
3
a
: a condensed treatment of a particular subject
an outline of world history
b
: a summary of a written work : synopsis
Students were required to give an outline for each assigned paper.
4
: a preliminary account of a project : plan
gave the class an outline of the points he intended to cover
5
: a fishing line set out overnight
outline
2 of 2verb
outlined; outlining; outlines
transitive verb
1
: to draw the outline of
2
: to indicate the principal features or different parts of
outlined their responsibilities
Synonyms
Noun
- contour
- figure
- silhouette
Verb
- define
- delineate
- silhouette
- sketch
- trace
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The pictures were drawn in outline and then filled in with color. The leaves etched into the vase have a gold outline. Organize your essay by writing an outline in which you state your main idea followed by your supporting points. a brief outline of American history Her speech was written in outline on note cards. Verb The President outlined his agenda for the next term. The book outlines the major events of the country's history. All players must follow the rules outlined above. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 8 Sep. 2022 Pearce, 32, grew up in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, and has an outline of the Bluegrass State tattooed on her right wrist. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 7 Sep. 2022 Creep was born primarily from a five-page outline and about a week's worth of improvisation between Brice and Duplass. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 On it, the board showed an outline of boxes with eight columns titled for each episode. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 3 Sep. 2022 The video below includes our hands-on rundown of the device and an outline of its features. Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 1 Sep. 2022 Calm and poised, the younger Moss floats into the kitchen in heavy combat boots and a long black floral chiffon skirt, the outline of her diabetes monitor visible through the tissue-like fabric. Emma Elwick-bates, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2022 The debt forgiveness will only be available to borrowers with incomes less than $125,000 and households earning $250,000 or less, according to an outline of the president’s plan. Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 The setlist then draws an outline for the story the performance will tell, which the creative director can then execute with the tone and aesthetic the artist desires. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 CBS News, 28 Aug. 2022 The White House meeting convened experts to discuss the advantages of developing new vaccines, but didn’t outline any plans for how to get them. Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 The current bill doesn’t outline specific projects that could be funded, and supporters hope that will make clear that communities get to drive it in the direction that works best for them. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2022 The statement didn’t outline a plan for peace or mention Russia by name. WSJ, 7 May 2022 The letter did not outline a cost to repair all the properties. Bailey Loosemore, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2022 But the president did not outline plans for student debt forgiveness, as many Democrats had been asking for. New York Times, 28 Mar. 2022 Getty also highlighted the technological cost and concern that the bill, which grants remote access only to proceedings already deemed public by the court, does not clearly outline what authority judges have to close a hearing at their discretion. Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2022 In the case of Measure W, the county didn’t outline specific projects that would be financed, instead leaving those decisions to a bureaucratic process that has been slow to put shovels in the ground. Ralph Vartabedian, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2022 See More
Noun
Spiky leaves that grow upwards and have a red outline make the name of this plant absolutely perfect. Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 8 Sep. 2022 Pearce, 32, grew up in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, and has an outline of the Bluegrass State tattooed on her right wrist. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 7 Sep. 2022 Creep was born primarily from a five-page outline and about a week's worth of improvisation between Brice and Duplass. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 On it, the board showed an outline of boxes with eight columns titled for each episode. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 3 Sep. 2022 The video below includes our hands-on rundown of the device and an outline of its features. Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 1 Sep. 2022 Calm and poised, the younger Moss floats into the kitchen in heavy combat boots and a long black floral chiffon skirt, the outline of her diabetes monitor visible through the tissue-like fabric. Emma Elwick-bates, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2022 The debt forgiveness will only be available to borrowers with incomes less than $125,000 and households earning $250,000 or less, according to an outline of the president’s plan. Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 The setlist then draws an outline for the story the performance will tell, which the creative director can then execute with the tone and aesthetic the artist desires. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2022 Verb
But those statutes do not outline a step-by-step process for the president to do so. CBS News, 28 Aug. 2022 The White House meeting convened experts to discuss the advantages of developing new vaccines, but didn’t outline any plans for how to get them. Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 The current bill doesn’t outline specific projects that could be funded, and supporters hope that will make clear that communities get to drive it in the direction that works best for them. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2022 The statement didn’t outline a plan for peace or mention Russia by name. WSJ, 7 May 2022 The letter did not outline a cost to repair all the properties. Bailey Loosemore, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2022 But the president did not outline plans for student debt forgiveness, as many Democrats had been asking for. New York Times, 28 Mar. 2022 Getty also highlighted the technological cost and concern that the bill, which grants remote access only to proceedings already deemed public by the court, does not clearly outline what authority judges have to close a hearing at their discretion. Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2022 In the case of Measure W, the county didn’t outline specific projects that would be financed, instead leaving those decisions to a bureaucratic process that has been slow to put shovels in the ground. Ralph Vartabedian, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
outline 1 of 2
noun
out·line ˈau̇t-ˌlīn
1
: a line that traces or forms the outer limits of an object or figure and shows its shape
2
: a drawing or picture or style of drawing in which only the outer edges of an object or figure are shown
outlines of animals
3
: an often numbered or lettered list of the important parts of something (as an essay)
4
: a short treatment of a subject
an outline of world history
outline
2 of 2verb
outlined; outlining
1
: to draw or trace the outer edges of
Outline the circle in gold.
2
: to list or describe the main features or parts of
… Mother went on outlining her plans for the storeroom. Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hill
Robert Lawson, Rabbit Hilloutline 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to trace
to draw or make apparent the outline of she carefully outlined the tree before she started drawing in the leaves Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- trace
- sketch
- define
- silhouette
- circle
- delineate
- line
- trim
- round
- surround
- frame
- diagram
- margin
- bound
- chart
- edge
- draw
- fringe
- rim
- skirt
- ring
- loop
- hem
- encircle
- girdle
- girth
- compass
- map (out)
2
as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report) outlined the important points in the introduction Synonyms & Similar Words
- summarize
- brief
- abstract
- recap
- recapitulate
- encapsulate
- reprise
- digest
- synopsize
- consolidate
- sum up
- wrap up
- boil down
- epitomize
- condense
- shorten
- abridge
- cut back
- curtail
- simplify
- shrink
- streamline
- downsize
- concentrate
- essentialize
- decoct
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extend
- elongate
- lengthen
- expand
- elaborate (on or upon)
- prolong
- supplement
- amplify
- enlarge (on or upon)
- protract
outline
2 of 2noun
1
as in silhouette
a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface place your hand on the paper and draw an outline around it Synonyms & Similar Words
- silhouette
- contour
- shape
- sketch
- figure
- framework
- form
- skeleton
- profile
- geometry
- delineation
- configuration
- cast
- skyline
- conformation
2
as in summary
a short statement of the main points a printed outline of the lecture has been made available for all attendees Synonyms & Similar Words
- summary
- synopsis
- brief
- abstract
- recap
- resume
- précis
- rundown
- summarization
- recapitulation
- summa
- résumé
- digest
- encapsulation
- inventory
- conspectus
- sum-up
- roundup
- sum
- resumé
- capsule
- breviary
- wrap-up
- summing-up
- run-through
- compendium
- compend
- epitome
- streamlining
- shortening
- abbreviation
- simplification
- curtailment
- rehash
- abridgment
- reprise
- condensation
- epilogue
- conclusion
- abridgement
- epilog
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- enlargement
- expansion
- amplification
- supplement
- addendum
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of outline are contour, profile, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.
traced the outline of his hand
The meanings of contour and outline largely overlap; however, contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.
a car with flowing contours
In some situations, the words profile and outline are roughly equivalent. However, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.
a portrait of her face in profile
The synonyms silhouette and outline are sometimes interchangeable, but silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.
photograph in silhouette against a bright sky