noun
Uncommon
contour
KON-taw
Contour (noun) means the outline or shape of something, especially a curved edge. Example: “The dress was cut to follow the contours of her body.”
noun
1
The outline or shape of something, especially a curved edge.
"The dress was cut to follow the contours of her body."
"Rain had smoothed the contours of the old stone steps."
2
A line on a map joining points of equal height.
"Closely spaced contour lines on the map showed a steep hillside."
verb
1
To shape something to follow a particular outline, or to apply makeup to sculpt the appearance of the face.
"She contoured her cheekbones with a shimmery bronze powder."
How to use contour
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe outer shape or edge of something, or shaping something to follow that outline.
Common pairings
body contours
contour lines
contour a face
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Word forms
- Plural
- contours
- Third person singular
- contours
- Past tense
- contoured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dress was cut to follow the _____ of her body.
Etymology
Borrowed from French contour, from contourner, built from con- plus tour ("turn").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for contour
See all rhymes for contour →Frequently asked questions
What does “contour” mean?
The word “contour” means the outline or shape of something, especially a curved edge. In plain terms, the outer shape or edge of something, or shaping something to follow that outline.
How do you pronounce “contour”?
“Contour” is pronounced KON-taw (/ˈkɒntɔː/ in IPA).
How do you use “contour” in a sentence?
Here is “contour” used in a sentence: “The dress was cut to follow the contours of her body.”
What part of speech is “contour”?
Depending on how it is used, “contour” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “contour” come from?
The word “contour” comes from French. Borrowed from French contour, from contourner, built from con- plus tour ("turn").
Is “contour” a common word?
“Contour” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “contour” have?
“Contour” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the outline or shape of something, especially a curved edge.
