outline

[out-lahyn]

noun

1. the line by which a figure or object is defined or bounded; contour.

2. a drawing or sketch restricted to line without shading or modeling of form.

3. a general sketch, account, or report, indicating only the main features, as of a book, subject, or project.

   an outline of medieval history; an outline of a speech.

   Synonyms: summary, synopsis, rough, draft, plan

4. outlines, the essential features or main aspects of something under discussion.

   At the first meeting, we gave her only the outlines of the project.

5. Printing.,  an ornamented type in which the outside contours of each character appear in black, with the inside left white.

verb (used with object)

outlined, outlining 

1. to draw the outline of, or draw in outline, as a figure or object.

   Synonyms: draft, delineate

2. to give an outline of; sketch the main features of.

   On the first day, the professor just outlined the course for us.

   Synonyms: draft, delineate

outline

/ 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. 1. a drawing or manner of drawing consisting only of external lines

   2. ( as modifier )

      an outline map

verb

1. to draw or display the outline of

2. to give the main features or general idea of

Other Word Forms

• preoutline noun
• reoutline verb (used with object)
• well-outlined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of outline¹

First recorded in 1655–65; out- + line ¹

Synonym Study

See form.

Example Sentences

He said further government investment would depend on the "delivery of the vision" he had outlined in the letter.

From BBC

As she outlined in a statement, in 2020 a trust was set up under the instructions of a court to manage a payout for a medical incident which had left their son with life-long disabilities.

From BBC

The government will then outline likely measures to the forecasters who will assess how much they are forecast to raise or to cost the exchequer.

From BBC

Now it has published a further update outlining additional actions it is planning which will allow parents to:

From BBC

As part of the planning process the US entertainment giant published thousands of pages outlining its vision for Bedfordshire back in July.

From BBC

Related Words

• blueprint 
• draft 
• drawing 
• framework 
• summary 
• synopsis