Outlined

ˈaʊtlaɪnd

verbmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To draw or represent the outer edge of something, or to summarize the main points of something.

ˈaʊtlaɪnd

verbneutralmedium
General

To draw or describe the outer edges of something.

The teacher outlined the key concepts for the upcoming exam.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're drawing a picture. When you outline something, you're drawing the shape around it. It's also like giving someone the main ideas, like a quick summary.

👶 For kids: To draw a line around something so you can see its shape.

More Examples

2

She carefully outlined the design on the canvas.

3

He outlined his plans for the future during the interview.

How It's Used

Art

"The artist outlined the figure with a charcoal pencil."

Technical Writing

"The project manager outlined the tasks and deadlines in a meeting."

2

Having a defined shape or form; characterized by a clear boundary or structure.

ˈaʊtlaɪnd

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Having the shape of an outline.

The outlined map showed the boundaries of the region.

💡 Simply: Imagine something with a clear, drawn shape around it. It's like you can clearly see what it is.

👶 For kids: Having lines around something that show you its shape.

More Examples

2

The outlined plans made the process easy.

3

The outlined proposal was concise and easy to understand.

How It's Used

Art

"The outlined drawing provided a clear visual framework."

Figurative

"The outlined concepts were easy to grasp."

Tip:Imagine an object with a visible, defined exterior.

Idioms & expressions

Outline of events

A summary of the key events of something.

"She prepared an outline of events before the meeting."

Outline the problem

To describe the main elements of a problem.

"The consultant was asked to outline the problem and suggest a solution."

From 'out' (external) + 'line' (a mark or boundary). Developed in the 16th century from the verb 'to outline', initially referring to drawing the exterior shape of something.

Used since the 16th century, initially in art to define the exterior form.

Memory tip

Think of drawing the outside lines of an object to give it shape.

Word Origin

LanguageMiddle English
Original meaning

"a mark or a boundary"

Base: outline
outline the planoutline the problemoutlined the key pointsoutlined the designoutlined the scope

Common misspellings

outlindoutllined

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written