outline

[ out-lahyn ]
/ ˈaʊtˌlaɪn /

noun

verb (used with object), out·lined, out·lin·ing.

to draw the outline of, or draw in outline, as a figure or object.
to give an outline of; sketch the main features of: On the first day, the professor just outlined the course for us.

Origin of outline

First recorded in 1655–65; out- + line1

SYNONYMS FOR outline

1 See form.
3 plan, draft, rough, synopsis, summary.
6, 7 delineate, draft.

OTHER WORDS FROM outline

pre·out·line, noun, verb (used with object), pre·out·lined, pre·out·lin·ing. re·out·line, verb (used with object), re·out·lined, re·out·lin·ing. well-out·lined, adjective

Words nearby outline

Example sentences from the Web for outlined

British Dictionary definitions for outlined

outline
/ (ˈaʊtˌlaɪn) /

noun

a preliminary or schematic plan, draft, account, etc
(usually plural) the important features of an argument, theory, work, etc
the line by which an object or figure is or appears to be bounded
  1. a drawing or manner of drawing consisting only of external lines
  2. (as modifier)an outline map

verb (tr)

to draw or display the outline of
to give the main features or general idea of