outline

Plural: outlines

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
• A line marking the boundary of an object figure.
• The outer shape of an object or figure.
• A sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading.
• A general description of some subject.
• A statement summarizing the important points of a text.
• A preliminary plan for a project.
• A prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay; generally longer and more detailed than a treatment.
• A setline or trotline.

Verb

Verb Forms: outlined, outlining, outlines

• To describe the main features or essential parts of something.
• describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
  • "sketch the outline of the book"
  • "outline his ideas"
• draw up an outline or sketch for something
• trace the shape of
• To draw an outline of; to describe.
• To summarize.
• To optimize for size by replacing repeated code fragments with function calls.

Examples

• Before playing, he took a moment to OUTLINE his potential moves for the next three turns.
• the outline of a speech
• Wikipedia items featuring books usually outline them after giving their background.

Synonyms

abstract, adumbrate, delineate, draft, limn, lineation, precis, schema, scheme, sketch, synopsis, reverse inline

Related Words

silhouette

Anagrams of outline