out·line
ˈau̇t-ˌlīn 
1
2
a
: a style of drawing in which contours are marked without shading
drew a dog in outline
b
: a sketch in outline
prepared several outlines of the suggested mural
3
a
: a condensed treatment of a particular subject
an outline of world history
b
: a summary of a written work : synopsis
Students were required to give an outline for each assigned paper.
4
: a preliminary account of a project : plan
gave the class an outline of the points he intended to cover
5
: a fishing line set out overnight
outlined; outlining; outlines
1
: to draw the outline of
2
: to indicate the principal features or different parts of
outlined their responsibilities
Synonyms
Examples of outline in a Sentence
Noun
The pictures were drawn in outline and then filled in with color.
The leaves etched into the vase have a gold outline.
Organize your essay by writing an outline in which you state your main idea followed by your supporting points.
a brief outline of American history
Her speech was written in outline on note cards.
Verb
The President outlined his agenda for the next term.
The book outlines the major events of the country's history.
All players must follow the rules outlined above.
Recent Examples on the Web
PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
These tools help agencies proactively plan procurements and outline appropriate solution requirements.
—Gisele Waters, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Mar. 2024
With only a week to go before the ballots are counted, neither team had signed anything beyond a letter of intent describing the broad outlines or what would be in their stadium leases.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
Lay the card flat, and using a needle, poke holes around the outline of the heart.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
The movie had a star-less press tour and premiere given the strike's outlines.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
Define the primary goal of your brief and outline key points to keep you focused.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Under the rule, companies will need to reveal any losses as a result of extreme weather events fueled by global warming, including severe storms, raging wildfires and rising seas, according to an SEC outline shared with reporters.
—Maxine Joselow, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Legitimate services typically offer a clear outline of their process and fees aligned with successful recovery, not promises shrouded in vagueness.
—Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Gosar was outlining his argument for challenging Arizona's election result when rioters overtook the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Both predictions are outlined in the WTTC’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Report, which Bloomberg received ahead of wider distribution.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
On Thursday and Friday, the IDF outlined the results of its investigation, first in a briefing with reporters and then in a statement with an accompanying map.
—Lior Soroka, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The National Voter Registration Act outlines specific processes for removing people from the rolls, which includes sending postcards to people to verify if their address has changed and waiting two presidential election cycles, or eight years, before removing them completely.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
But criticizing the work of others is often easier than outlining clear proposals of your own.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
JetBlue outlines the new pricing structure on its website.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
In a 400-plus page document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission late last week, Chevron outlines the deal for Chevron and Hess shareholders.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
My time with the lens certainly reflects that finding—the optical characteristics are identical down to the characteristic outline around defocused highlights that makes for busier backgrounds.
—PCMAG, 28 Mar. 2024
These tools help agencies proactively plan procurements and outline appropriate solution requirements.
—Gisele Waters, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Mar. 2024
With only a week to go before the ballots are counted, neither team had signed anything beyond a letter of intent describing the broad outlines or what would be in their stadium leases.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
Lay the card flat, and using a needle, poke holes around the outline of the heart.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
The movie had a star-less press tour and premiere given the strike's outlines.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
Define the primary goal of your brief and outline key points to keep you focused.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Under the rule, companies will need to reveal any losses as a result of extreme weather events fueled by global warming, including severe storms, raging wildfires and rising seas, according to an SEC outline shared with reporters.
—Maxine Joselow, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Legitimate services typically offer a clear outline of their process and fees aligned with successful recovery, not promises shrouded in vagueness.
—Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The friend-of-the-court briefs piling up on the Supreme Court’s EMTALA docket include several outlining the horrific moral and legal trap facing doctors caught between EMTALA and antiabortion state laws.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Gosar was outlining his argument for challenging Arizona's election result when rioters overtook the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Both predictions are outlined in the WTTC’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Report, which Bloomberg received ahead of wider distribution.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
On Thursday and Friday, the IDF outlined the results of its investigation, first in a briefing with reporters and then in a statement with an accompanying map.
—Lior Soroka, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The National Voter Registration Act outlines specific processes for removing people from the rolls, which includes sending postcards to people to verify if their address has changed and waiting two presidential election cycles, or eight years, before removing them completely.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
But criticizing the work of others is often easier than outlining clear proposals of your own.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
JetBlue outlines the new pricing structure on its website.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024
In a 400-plus page document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission late last week, Chevron outlines the deal for Chevron and Hess shareholders.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near outline
Cite this Entry
“Outline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outline. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outline
1 of 2 noun
out·line
ˈau̇t-ˌlīn
1
: a line that traces or forms the outer limits of an object or figure and shows its shape
2
a
: a drawing or picture giving only the outlines of something
b
: this method of drawing
3
a
: a brief summary or plan often in numbered divisions
b
: a brief treatment of a subject
an outline of world history
outline
2 of 2 verb1
: to draw or trace the outline of
2
: to indicate the main features or parts of
outlined our responsibilities
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share