Meaning & use
contour
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Meanings
nouncountable
The outline of a shape, or the curves and lines of a surface such as land or the body.
Grammar: Often plural: the contours of the hills.
Patterns
- the contour of something
- the contours of something
She traced the contour of the mountain with her finger.
The road follows the contours of the coast.
The sculptor smoothed the contours of the statue's face.
nouncountabletechnical
A line on a map joining points of equal height.
Grammar: Usually in the phrase contour line.
Patterns
- contour line
Contour lines close together mean a steep slope.
The walkers read the contours on the map before choosing a path.
nounusually pluralfigurative
The general shape or main features of a situation or system.
Grammar: Used figuratively: the contours of the debate.
Patterns
- the contours of something
The report sketches the contours of the new tax system.
We only know the broad contours of the plan.
verbtransitive
To shape something so that it follows a certain outline, or to add shading to the face with makeup.
Grammar: Takes an object: contour your cheekbones.
Patterns
- contour something
She contoured her cheekbones with a darker powder.
The seats are contoured to fit the body.
Word forms
| plural | contours |
|---|---|
| third person singular | contours |
| past tense | contoured |
| -ing form | contouring |
Common combinations
- contour line
- A contour line shows each hundred feet of height.
- follow the contours
- The path follows the contours of the valley.
- the contours of the body
- The dress hugged the contours of her body.
- broad contours
- The broad contours of the agreement were clear.
- contour map
- Hikers studied the contour map before setting out.
Synonyms and how they differ
- outline
- Outline refers just to the edge of a shape, while contour includes its curves and surface.
- profile
- Profile means the side view of a shape, which is narrower than contour.
- silhouette
- Silhouette is a dark shape against a lighter background, so it only gives the outer shape.
Word family
- contoured adjective
- shaped to follow curves
- contouring noun
- shading the face with makeup
- countour noun
- a common misspelling, not a word
Commonly confused: contour or counter?
contour vs counter
Counter has a different spelling and meaning, such as a flat surface in a shop, so do not mix it up with contour.
Practice
On a map, closely spaced contour lines usually show what?
Choose one answer.
Contour lines join points of equal height, so lines close together mean a rapid change in height, a steep slope.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “contour”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.