silhouette

silhouette — noun

1. the dark outline of a person, animal, or object that you can see when it stands

1.nounB1
Definition

the dark outline of a person, animal, or object that you can see when it stands in front of a bright surface, such as a sunset sky, a lighted window, or a bright screen

Example

The fisherman saw the silhouette of a tall ship against the orange sunset.

silhouette of [something] against [background]

A cat's silhouette appeared briefly in the lighted kitchen window before jumping down.

Common collocations
  • silhouette of
  • silhouette against
  • silhouette in
Synonyms
  • outline

    more neutral; does not imply darkness or a specific light source

  • shadow

    emphasises the dark area cast on a surface rather than the edge shape of the object

Usage Note

Frequently paired with the preposition 'against' to name the bright background. The object whose silhouette is seen is usually a person, animal, tree, building, or vehicle.

Common Mistakes

I saw a silhouette of the building in the dark night' (no light source mentioned).
I saw a silhouette of the building against the bright office lights.
a silhouette requires a light background behind a dark shape.

2. a picture or portrait that shows a person or object as a solid black shape on a

2.nounB1
Definition

a picture or portrait that shows a person or object as a solid black shape on a light background, typically depicting someone from one side of the face only, and sometimes cut from paper

Example

Grandma kept a Victorian silhouette of her great-grandfather hanging in the hallway.

kept a [style] silhouette of [someone]

At the fair, an artist cut a paper silhouette of Jisoo's face in two minutes.

Common collocations
  • cut a silhouette
  • silhouette portrait
  • paper silhouette
Synonyms
  • profile

    a side view of a face shown in any medium, not necessarily as a solid black shape

  • cut-out

    specifically a silhouette made by cutting paper

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (DARK SHAPE): this sense refers to an intentional artistic item (painting, cut-out paper, or drawing), not to a naturally occurring dark outline. Object is usually 'cut,' 'painted,' 'drawn,' or 'framed.'

Common Mistakes

I took a silhouette of my friend at the beach' (meaning a photo of a dark shape).
I took a photo of my friend's silhouette at sunset.
for a photograph, use 'silhouette' as sense 1; sense 2 is for a crafted picture, painting, or cut-out.

3. the general outer shape or contour of a human figure or a thing, especially when

3.nounB2
Definition

the general outer shape or contour of a human figure or a thing, especially when seen from a distance, in dim light, or as a simple line without fine detail

Example

The dress was designed to follow the natural silhouette of a woman's body without tightness.

follow the natural silhouette of

Diego could recognise his brother from blocks away by his tall, thin silhouette.

Common collocations
  • sleek silhouette
  • natural silhouette
  • silhouette of
Synonyms
  • contour

    more technical; emphasises the curving line that defines a shape

  • form

    broader; can include internal structure, not just outer edge

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (DARK SHAPE), no light-background contrast is required — the focus is on the pure shape or contour. Commonly used in fashion design, architecture, and product reviews.

Common Mistakes

The silhouette of the building was clearly lit by the sunlight' (contradiction — silhouettes are dark).
The silhouette of the building was visible through the dust storm.
for sense 3, the shape is the focus, not the darkness.

silhouette — verb

Word family

  • silhouetted
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Outline' is the most general of these — it refers to the edge or boundary line of any shape, regardless of colour or light. 'Silhouette' is a specific kind of outline: dark and seen against a bright surface. 'Shadow' focuses on the dark area cast by an object blocking light, which can fall on the ground or a wall and may be distorted. 'Profile' is narrower: it means a side view of a face, often drawn or photographed, not necessarily dark. 'Contour' is more technical, emphasising the smooth curves that define a three-dimensional form, especially in maps, design, and anatomy. In everyday use, if you see a dark shape against the sunset, that is a silhouette. If you draw just the edge line of that shape, that is an outline. If you stand near a lamp and your dark shape falls on the wall behind you, that is your shadow.

outline ↗shadow ↗profile ↗contour ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • silhouette of a person
  • silhouette of a tree
  • silhouette of a building
  • silhouette of a mountain
  • silhouette of a bird

Adverbs

  • clearly silhouetted
  • sharply silhouetted
  • starkly silhouetted
  • dimly silhouetted

Phrases

  • in silhouette
  • in the silhouette
  • against the silhouette
  • cut a silhouette

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

The word 'silhouette' comes from the name of Étienne de Silhouette (1709–1767), a French finance minister. During his brief time in office, he imposed harsh economic measures, and people began calling cheap, simple things 'à la Silhouette' as a joke — suggesting they were as thrifty as his policies. Cheap paper-cut portraits, popular at the time, were nicknamed 'silhouettes,' and the name stuck. The word entered English in the late 18th century, first for the art form and later for any dark outline seen against a light background.