noun
outline
OWT-lyn
noun
1
The line or shape marking the edge of something.
"You could just make out the outline of the mountains against the night sky."
"The artist sketched the outline before adding any detail."
2
A summary that lays out the main points of something, such as a plan or piece of writing.
"She handed in an outline of her thesis before starting the full draft."
"The teacher asked us to write an outline before drafting our essays."
verb
1
To describe the main points of something, or to draw its boundary.
"The manager outlined the new project timeline in the meeting."
"He outlined the shape of the building before adding windows and doors."
How to Use Outline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the visible edge/shape of something, or a summary of its main points.
Common pairings
rough outline
outline a plan
outline of a story
Word Forms
outlined past tense, outlines plural, outlines singular
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Etymology
A straightforward compound of out + line.