sketch
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for sketch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make a quick, rough drawing without full detail.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sketch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Dutch "schets," tracing back through Italian "schizzo" to Greek "skhedios," meaning "done off-hand" or "made suddenly."
Full origin of sketch →Frequently asked questions
What does “sketch” mean?
The word “sketch” means to make a quick, rough drawing without full detail. In plain terms, a rough drawing or outline, a short comic scene, or (informally) something that feels dodgy.
How do you pronounce “sketch”?
“Sketch” is pronounced SKEHCH (/ˈskɛt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sketch” in a sentence?
Here is “sketch” used in a sentence: “She sketched the skyline from the rooftop café.”
What part of speech is “sketch”?
Depending on how it is used, “sketch” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “sketch” come from?
The word “sketch” comes from Dutch. From Dutch "schets," tracing back through Italian "schizzo" to Greek "skhedios," meaning "done off-hand" or "made suddenly.".
Is “sketch” a common word?
“Sketch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sketch” have?
“Sketch” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a quick, rough drawing without full detail.
What is the difference between a sketch and a drawing?
A sketch is a quick, rough drawing made without full detail, often as preparation for later work. A drawing can be anything from a rough outline to a fully finished, detailed piece — so every sketch is a drawing, but not every drawing is a sketch.
What is the difference between a sketch and a skit?
Both are short comic scenes performed as part of a show. Sketch is the standard term in professional comedy — as in sketch shows — while skit tends to describe shorter, more informal or amateur performances, such as those at a school event.
What is the difference between sketch and sketchy?
Sketchy is the usual informal adjective meaning suspicious, shady, or unsafe-feeling: "a sketchy neighbourhood". Sketch is a clipped slang variant with the same meaning — "that alley looks sketch" — heard mainly in casual American speech.