outline

outline — noun

1. the outside line of a person, object, or place, seen without the inside parts.

1.nounC2
Definition

the outside line of a person, object, or place, seen without the inside parts.

Example

At sunset, the temple's outline stood dark against the orange sky.

outline against a background

From the hill, we could see the outline of the whole island.

Common collocations
  • dark outline
  • clear outline
  • faint outline
  • outline of the mountains
  • human outline
Synonyms
  • shape

    broader and less exact; does not focus on the edge alone

  • contour

    more technical, often used for lines of land or body form

  • silhouette

    usually a dark shape seen against light, not just the edge

Antonyms
  • detail

    refers to the inner parts rather than the outer line

Grammar Patterns

outline of + noun

Usage Note

Often used for something seen from far away, in shadow, or against strong light. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 is the edge itself, not a picture of it.

2. a short account or plan that gives the key points but not the full detail.

2.nounB2
Definition

a short account or plan that gives the key points but not the full detail.

Example

Before the meeting, Grace sent an outline of her report by email.

outline of a report

The guide gave us a brief outline of the museum's history.

Common collocations
  • brief outline
  • outline of a report
  • outline plan
  • outline of the case
  • follow an outline
Synonyms
  • summary

    the most general everyday word for a short account

  • synopsis

    more formal and often used for books, films, or talks

  • plan

    focuses more on future action than on giving information

  • framework

    suggests an organized structure rather than a short account

Antonyms
  • full account

    gives complete detail instead of only key points

Grammar Patterns

outline of + topic/report/plan

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'of' plus a topic, talk, plan, or report. Distinguish from verb/2: this sense names the summary itself, while verb/2 is the act of giving one.

Common Mistakes

She gave me an outline about the plan.
She gave me an outline of the plan.
the noun outline normally takes 'of', not 'about'.

3. a simple drawing that shows only the outer lines, with no shading or small detai

3.nounC1
Definition

a simple drawing that shows only the outer lines, with no shading or small details.

Example

The art teacher pinned an outline of a fish on the wall.

art use: simple picture

Lena colored inside the outline of the butterfly with blue paint.

inside the outline

Common collocations
  • outline drawing
  • color inside the outline
  • simple outline
  • animal outline
  • cut-out outlines
Synonyms
  • sketch

    broader; may include more detail than just outer lines

  • line drawing

    close in meaning and common in art contexts

  • tracing

    usually copied from another image by following its lines

Antonyms
  • painting

    usually includes color, tone, and fuller visual detail

Grammar Patterns

outline of + object

Usage Note

Usually used for a picture on paper or a screen before color or detail is added. Distinguish from sense 1: here the outline is a drawing, not the real edge of something you see.

outline — verb

Word family

  • outliner
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

These verbs all deal with giving information, but they do not do the same job. 'Outline' means giving the main points in a clear but limited way, often at the start of a talk, report, or plan. 'Summarize' is the closest match, but it is more neutral and often refers to shortening something that already exists. 'Describe' is wider and may include many details, so it is not always brief. 'Sketch' in this sense is slightly informal and suggests a quick rough account. 'Map out' is different again: it stresses arranging stages or future action. You might outline a proposal, summarize an article, describe a building, sketch the problem, and map out the next six months.

outline ↗summarize ↗describe ↗sketch ↗map out ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • give an outline
  • draw an outline
  • in broad outline

Prepositions

  • outline of
  • in outline

Etymology

English

This word was formed in English from 'out' and 'line'. It first meant the line around the outside of a figure or object. From that literal sense, English later developed the meaning of a simple drawing made with outer lines only, and then the figurative meaning of a short summary that shows only the main points.