OUTLINE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does outline mean? 

• OUTLINE (noun)
  The noun OUTLINE has 3 senses:

1. the line that appears to bound an object

2. a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

3. a schematic or preliminary plan

  Familiarity information: OUTLINE used as a noun is uncommon.

• OUTLINE (verb)
  The verb OUTLINE has 3 senses:

1. describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of

2. draw up an outline or sketch for something

3. trace the shape of

  Familiarity information: OUTLINE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OUTLINE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The line that appears to bound an object

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

lineation; outline

Hypernyms ("outline" is a kind of...):

bound; boundary; bounds (the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "outline"):

coastline (the outline of a coast)

profile (an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side))

silhouette (an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow))

skyline (the outline of objects seen against the sky)

Derivation:

outline (trace the shape of)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

abstract; outline; precis; synopsis

Hypernyms ("outline" is a kind of...):

sum-up; summary (a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "outline"):

brief (a condensed written summary or abstract)

apercu (a short synopsis)

epitome (a brief abstract (as of an article or book))

Derivation:

outline (describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A schematic or preliminary plan

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

outline; schema; scheme

Hypernyms ("outline" is a kind of...):

plan; program; programme (a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished)

Derivation:

outline (draw up an outline or sketch for something)

• OUTLINE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they outline    ... he / she / it outlines   
Past simple: outlined   
Past participle: outlined   
-ing form: outlining   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

adumbrate; outline; sketch

Context example:

outline his ideas

Hypernyms (to "outline" is one way to...):

depict; describe; draw (give a description of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "outline"):

block out (indicate roughly)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

outline (a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Draw up an outline or sketch for something

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

draft; outline

Context example:

draft a speech

Hypernyms (to "outline" is one way to...):

compose; indite; pen; write (produce a literary work)

Domain category:

authorship; composition; penning; writing (the act of creating written works)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

Did he outline his major works over a short period of time?

Derivation:

outline (a schematic or preliminary plan)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Trace the shape of

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

delineate; limn; outline

Hypernyms (to "outline" is one way to...):

draw (represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "outline"):

lipstick (form by tracing with lipstick)

contour (form the contours of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

outline (the line that appears to bound an object)

 Context examples 

Coagulative necrosis is a form of tissue necrosis in which the basic outline of the cells and tissues is maintained.

(Coagulative Necrosis of the Mouse Prostate Gland, NCI Thesaurus/MMHCC)

The act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan) or the result of this activity.

(Design, NCI Thesaurus)

Medical and/or social characteristics that prevent a subject from being allowed to participate in a clinical study, as outlined in the study protocol.

(Exclusion Criteria, NCI Thesaurus)

The spatial outline of an object as described by the configuration of straight or curved lines.

(Geometric Shape, NCI Thesaurus)

Characteristics which are necessary to allow a subject to participate in a clinical study, as outlined in the study protocol.

(Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria, NCI Thesaurus)

A structure with a curved or bowlike outline.

(Arch, NCI Thesaurus)

He could hardly follow her outlining of the work he must do, so amazed was he by her delightful propinquity.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Researchers outline the development of nanogels for cancer treatment.

(Novel nanogels hold promise for improved drug delivery to cancer patients, National Science Foundation)

The study itself outlines the tight correlation between the absence of white sharks and the presence of sevengills.

(Study indicates as great white shark disappears, living fossil moves in, Wikinews)

Medical and/or social characteristics which are necessary for a subject to be allowed to participate in a clinical study, as outlined in the study protocol.

(Inclusion Criteria, NCI Thesaurus)