Definition

1. Noun:

   • A schematic or preliminary plan: A general plan showing the main features or structure of something before the details are filled in.
   • A sketchy summary: A brief description of the main points or facts of a subject, argument, or theory.
   • The line that appears to bound an object: The outer edge or contour of a shape or figure, often seen as a line separating it from its background.

2. Verb:

   • To trace the shape of: To draw, define, or indicate the outer edge or contour of something.
   • To draw up an outline for something: To plan or describe the main features or structure of something, such as a speech, essay, or project.
   • To describe roughly or give the main points: To summarize the most important aspects of an idea, plan, or topic without going into detail.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She presented an outline of the proposed budget to the committee.
  • The report began with a brief outline of the company's history.
  • We could see the dark outline of the castle against the sunset.

• Verb:

  • The artist outlined the figure in charcoal before painting.
  • Before writing the essay, he outlined his main arguments.
  • The manager outlined the new safety procedures for the staff.

Advanced Usage

• "In outline": Describing something in its basic or general form, without details.

  • The project is clear in outline, but the specifics still need work.

• "To give a broad outline": To provide a very general summary, covering only the major points.

  • The lecture gave a broad outline of economic theories from the 20th century.

Variants and Related Words

• Outlined (adj.): Described or shown clearly with its main features.

  • The outlined steps are easy to follow.

• Outlining (n./gerund): The act or process of creating an outline.

  • Outlining is a crucial part of the writing process.

Synonyms

• Noun: Summary, synopsis, sketch, plan, framework, contour, silhouette.
• Verb: Summarize, sketch, draft, delineate, trace, summarize.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(The word "outline" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically conveyed as a single verb.)

Related Idioms

• The bare outline: The most basic and essential points, with nothing extra.
  • He gave us only the bare outline of the story, leaving out all the interesting details.

Noun

1. a schematic or preliminary plan
2. a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
3. the line that appears to bound an object

Verb

1. trace the shape of
2. draw up an outline or sketch for something
   • draft a speech
3. describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
   • sketch the outline of the book
   • outline his ideas