Meaning & use
outline
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A short plan or summary giving the main points without the detail.
Grammar: Takes a plural: write an outline; two outlines.
Patterns
- an outline of something
She wrote an outline before starting her essay.
The manager gave a brief outline of the plan.
Send me an outline of your proposal by Friday.
nouncountable
A line around the edge of something that shows its shape.
Grammar: Often used with of: the outline of a building.
Patterns
- the outline of something
We saw the outline of the mountains against the sky.
The child traced the outline of her hand.
The detective drew a chalk outline on the floor.
verbtransitive
To describe the main points of something without giving every detail.
Grammar: Takes an object: outline the plan.
Patterns
- outline something
- outline something to someone
The coach outlined the strategy before the match.
Please outline your reasons in a short email.
The report outlines three possible solutions.
verbtransitive
To draw a line around the edge of something.
Grammar: Takes an object and often a tool or color: outline it in black.
Patterns
- outline something in something
She outlined the letters in black ink.
The artist outlined the face before adding color.
Red lights outlined the edges of the runway.
Word forms
| plural | outlines |
|---|---|
| third person singular | outlines |
| past tense | outlined |
| past participle | outlined |
| -ing form | outlining |
Common combinations
- a rough outline
- I have only a rough outline of the story so far.
- in outline
- The plan is clear in outline but not in detail.
- outline the plan
- The director outlined the plan to the staff.
- a brief outline
- Give me a brief outline of the proposal.
- the outline of a figure
- The outline of a figure appeared in the fog.
- outline the main points
- The speaker outlined the main points at the start.
Synonyms and how they differ
- summary
- A summary condenses something that already exists, while an outline can be a plan for something not yet written.
- sketch
- Sketch suggests a quick, loose draft, usually of a picture but also of an idea.
- silhouette
- Silhouette is a solid dark shape against light, whereas an outline is only the edge line.
- framework
- Framework is a supporting structure for ideas and is less about a short summary.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: outline or overview?
outline vs overview
An overview is a general look at the whole subject, while an outline lays out its structure in main points.
Practice
Before writing the report, Tom made an ___ of the main sections.
Choose one answer.
An outline is a plan of main points. Outlook is a view of the future, so it is a tempting but incorrect near-match.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “outline”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.