Standard Lemma guide

outline

noun · verb · 17 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: AW1 T L AY2 N Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A line marking the boundary of an object figure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The outer shape of an object or figure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A general description of some subject.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A statement summarizing the important points of a text.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

A preliminary plan for a project.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • the outline of a speech

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

A prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay; generally longer and more detailed than a treatment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: broadcasting, film, media, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

noun

Meaning 8

A setline or trotline.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: fishing, hobbies, lifestyle

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

To draw an outline of; to describe.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

verb

Meaning 10

To summarize.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Wikipedia items featuring books usually outline them after giving their background.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

verb

Meaning 11

To optimize for size by replacing repeated code fragments with function calls.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences, software-compilation

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: reverse inline

Antonyms: none provided

12

noun

Meaning 12

a schematic or preliminary plan

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: schema, scheme

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: plan, program, programme

13

noun

Meaning 13

a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: synopsis, abstract, precis

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: summary, sum-up

Narrower terms: brief, apercu, epitome

14

noun

Meaning 14

the line that appears to bound an object

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lineation

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: boundary, bound, bounds

Narrower terms: coastline, silhouette, skyline

15

verb

Meaning 15

describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • sketch the outline of the book
  • outline his ideas

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sketch, adumbrate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: describe, depict, draw

Narrower terms: block out

16

verb

Meaning 16

trace the shape of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: delineate, limn

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: draw

Narrower terms: lipstick, contour

17

verb

Meaning 17

draw up an outline or sketch for something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • draft a speech

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: draft

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: write, compose, pen, indite

History

Etymology

From out + line.

Across languages

Translations

160 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: очерта́ние (očertánie) — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Bulgarian: контур (kontur) — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Catalan: contorn — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Czech: obrys — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Danish: omrids — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Danish: kontur — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Finnish: ääriviiva — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • French: contour — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • German: Umriss — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • German: Kontur — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Hebrew: קו מתאר — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Hungarian: körvonal — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Icelandic: útlínur — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Italian: contorno — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Japanese: 中抜き (uwatsuki) — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Latin: adumbrātiō — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Māori: hua — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Occitan: contorn — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Portuguese: contorno — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Romanian: contur — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Russian: ко́нтур (kóntur) — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Russian: очерта́ние (očertánije) — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Spanish: contorno — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Swedish: kontur — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Swedish: kantlinje — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Tagalog: balangkas — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Ottoman Turkish: چوره (çevre) — line marking the boundary of an object figure
  • Catalan: silueta — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Chinese Mandarin: 輪廓 /轮廓 (lúnkuò) — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Dutch: omtrek — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Esperanto: konturo — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Finnish: ääriviiva — outer shape of an object or figure
  • French: silhouette — outer shape of an object or figure
  • German: Umriss — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Hungarian: körvonal — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Italian: contorno — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Japanese: 外形 (gaikei) — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Japanese: 輪郭 (rinkaku) — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Kazakh: сұлба (sūlba) — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Māori: hua — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Polish: kontur — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Portuguese: contorno — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Romanian: contur — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Russian: ко́нтур (kóntur) — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Russian: очерта́ние (očertánije) — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Spanish: contorno — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Tagalog: balangkas — outer shape of an object or figure
  • Bulgarian: скица (skica) — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Catalan: esbós — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Chinese Mandarin: 輪廓 /轮廓 (lúnkuò) — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Finnish: ääriviivapiirros — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • French: esquisse — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • German: Skizze — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • German: Skizzierung — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • German: Umrisszeichnung — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • German: Konturenzeichnung — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Hungarian: vázlat — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Italian: sagoma — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Japanese: 輪郭描写 (rinkaku-byōsha) — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Māori: hua — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Polish: kontur — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Portuguese: esboço — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Romanian: schiță — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Russian: набро́сок (nabrósok) — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Spanish: delineación — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Spanish: delineamento — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Spanish: delineamiento — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Spanish: croquis — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Tagalog: balangkas — sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading
  • Bulgarian: схема (shema) — general description of some subject
  • Catalan: visió general — general description of some subject
  • Finnish: yleiskuvaus — general description of some subject
  • French: aperçu — general description of some subject
  • German: Beschreibung — general description of some subject
  • Ancient Greek: περιγραφή (perigraphḗ) — general description of some subject
  • Italian: descrizione — general description of some subject
  • Japanese: 概略 (gairyaku) — general description of some subject
  • Japanese: 概要 (gaiyō) — general description of some subject
  • Persian: شمای کلی — general description of some subject
  • Portuguese: resumo — general description of some subject
  • Scots: ootline — general description of some subject
  • Spanish: esquema — general description of some subject
  • Spanish: boceto — general description of some subject
  • Tagalog: balangkas — general description of some subject
  • Catalan: resum — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Finnish: yhteenveto — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • French: résumé — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • German: Zusammenfassung — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Hebrew: תמצית — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Italian: sunto — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Japanese: 主旨 (shushi) — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Japanese: 要旨 (yōshi) — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Polish: konspekt — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Portuguese: resumo — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Portuguese: sinopse — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Spanish: resumen — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Spanish: esquema — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Spanish: boceto — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Spanish: balotario — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Tagalog: balangkas — statement summarizing the important points of a text
  • Bulgarian: план (plan) — preliminary plan of a project
  • Bulgarian: проект (proekt) — preliminary plan of a project
  • Catalan: esborrany — preliminary plan of a project
  • Finnish: hahmotelma — preliminary plan of a project
  • Finnish: suuntaviivat — preliminary plan of a project
  • French: ébauche — preliminary plan of a project
  • German: Entwurf — preliminary plan of a project
  • Hebrew: מתאר — preliminary plan of a project
  • Hebrew: תוואי — preliminary plan of a project
  • Hungarian: körvonal — preliminary plan of a project
  • Italian: bozza — preliminary plan of a project
  • Japanese: 概要 (gaiyō) — preliminary plan of a project
  • Polish: szkic — preliminary plan of a project
  • Polish: zarys — preliminary plan of a project
  • Polish: abrys — preliminary plan of a project
  • Portuguese: esboço — preliminary plan of a project
  • Tagalog: balangkas — preliminary plan of a project
  • Finnish: juoni — (film industry) a prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay
  • French: synopsis — (film industry) a prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay
  • Japanese: あらまし (aramashi) — (film industry) a prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay
  • Japanese: 荒筋 (arasuji) — (film industry) a prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay
  • Japanese: 粗筋 (arasuji) — (film industry) a prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay
  • Arabic: لَخَّصَ (laḵḵaṣa) — to draw an outline of something
  • Arabic: اِخْتَصَرَ (iḵtaṣara) — to draw an outline of something
  • Bulgarian: скицирам (skiciram) — to draw an outline of something
  • Catalan: perfilar — to draw an outline of something
  • Finnish: hahmotella — to draw an outline of something
  • French: entourer — to draw an outline of something
  • German: umreißen — to draw an outline of something
  • Ancient Greek: περιγράφω (perigráphō) — to draw an outline of something
  • Hungarian: körvonalaz — to draw an outline of something
  • Italian: contornare — to draw an outline of something
  • Italian: delineare — to draw an outline of something
  • Māori: huahua — to draw an outline of something
  • Polish: obrysowywać — to draw an outline of something
  • Polish: obrysować — to draw an outline of something
  • Russian: обрисо́вывать (obrisóvyvatʹ) — to draw an outline of something
  • Russian: обрисова́ть (obrisovátʹ) — to draw an outline of something
  • Russian: оче́рчивать (očérčivatʹ) — to draw an outline of something
  • Russian: очерти́ть (očertítʹ) — to draw an outline of something
  • Serbo-Croatian: konturirati — to draw an outline of something
  • Serbo-Croatian: ocrtati — to draw an outline of something
  • Ukrainian: обрисо́вувати (obrysóvuvaty) — to draw an outline of something
  • Ukrainian: обрисува́ти (obrysuváty) — to draw an outline of something
  • Ukrainian: окре́слювати (okrésljuvaty) — to draw an outline of something
  • Ukrainian: окре́слити (okréslyty) — to draw an outline of something
  • Bulgarian: очертавам (očertavam) — to summarize something
  • Catalan: resumir — to summarize something
  • Finnish: vetää yhteen — to summarize something
  • German: zusammenfassen — to summarize something
  • Hebrew: תֵּאֵר (teér) — to summarize something
  • Hungarian: körvonalaz — to summarize something
  • Italian: riassumere — to summarize something
  • Italian: illustrare — to summarize something
  • Russian: опи́сывать (opísyvatʹ) — to summarize something
  • Russian: описа́ть (opisátʹ) — to summarize something
  • Serbo-Croatian: opisati — to summarize something
  • Spanish: bocetear — to summarize something
  • Spanish: abocetar — to summarize something
  • Spanish: bocetar — to summarize something
Real reading context

outline in complete knowledge articles