outline
pronunciation
How to pronounce outline in British English:
UK [ˈaʊtlaɪn]
How to pronounce outline in American English:
US [ˈaʊtlaɪn]
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- Noun:
- the line that appears to bound an object
- a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
- a schematic or preliminary plan
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- Verb:
- describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
- draw up an outline or sketch for something
- trace the shape of
Word Origin
- outline (n.)
- 1660s, "lines by which a figure is delineated," from out + line (v.). Meaning "rough draft in words" is from 1759.
- outline (v.)
- 1790, "to draw in outline," from outline (n.). Meaning "to describe in general terms" is from 1855. Related: Outlined; outlining.
Example
- 1. Yet the outline of a deal seems clear .
- 2. On foreign policy , he has only sketched the outline .
- 3. Yet a group of historians soon drafted an outline .
- 4. Write out the speech and practice it using an outline .
- 5. Another new law will outline future plans for the industry .