outlines
outlines — noun
- outlinessingular
- outlinesesplural
1. short plans or descriptions that show the key ideas without giving every detail.
short plans or descriptions that show the key ideas without giving every detail.
The teacher handed out outlines before the history talk began.
outlines before a talk
Our outlines for the science fair covered costs, dates, and duties.
By noon, Anjali had emailed the outlines for both workshop sessions.
The grant outlines left out the budget figures for school meals.
- full reports
give the complete detail instead of only the main ideas
文法句型
outlines of + topic/report/plan
用法筆記
Usually names brief written or spoken summaries of a report, lesson, plan, or project. It often appears with for or of plus the subject being organized.
常見錯誤
2. the outer lines of things, seen without the inner parts or fine detail.
the outer lines of things, seen without the inner parts or fine detail.
At dawn, the outlines of fishing boats appeared through the harbor fog.
outlines seen through fog
From the train, we saw mountain outlines against the pale winter sky.
The scan showed faint outlines of two teeth below the gum.
Streetlights threw the outlines of wet branches onto the clinic wall.
- shapes
broader and less focused on the outer edge itself
- contours
more technical, especially for landforms or body shape
- silhouettes
usually suggests a dark full shape against light
- details
refers to the smaller inner parts rather than the edge
文法句型
outlines of + object/place
用法筆記
Often used when shapes are seen from a distance, in weak light, or through mist. Distinguish from sense 2: these outlines are the edges of real things, not drawings on paper.
3. simple drawings made with outside lines only, without shading or small details.
simple drawings made with outside lines only, without shading or small details.
The workbook includes animal outlines for children to color after lunch.
outlines for coloring
Nia cut star outlines from silver paper for the window display.
The art club traced leaf outlines onto cloth bags on Friday.
Our poster used bold outlines instead of paint for each planet.
- line drawings
very close in meaning and common in art teaching
- sketches
broader and may include more detail than outlines
- tracings
usually copied by following an existing image
- paintings
usually include color, tone, and fuller visual detail
文法句型
outlines for + coloring/cutting
用法筆記
Use this sense for simple pictures prepared for coloring, tracing, cutting, or early design work. Distinguish from sense 1: here the outlines are drawings, not the visible edges of actual objects.
outlines — verb
- outlinespresent simple I / you / we / they
- outlineses3rd person singular
- outlinesing-ing form
- outlinesedpast simple
1. to set out the key parts of a plan, idea, or process in a short form.
to set out the key parts of a plan, idea, or process in a short form.
The welcome email outlines what new volunteers should bring on Saturday.
outlines + what-clause
During the call, Tariq outlines the repair steps for the landlord.
The website outlines how families can apply for free bus passes.
In one slide, Christopher outlines the risks of the river project.
- summarizes
the nearest everyday verb for giving the main points
- describes
broader and can include much more detail
- sketches
can suggest a quick rough account
- elaborates
adds more detail instead of keeping to the key points
文法句型
outlines + noun phrase
outlines + wh-clause
用法筆記
The object is usually a plan, report, rule, process, or set of steps. This sense often takes how, what, or why clauses when the speaker is explaining the main points.
常見錯誤
2. to draw or make the outer edge of something easy to see.
to draw or make the outer edge of something easy to see.
Sora outlines each window in chalk before the mural team paints.
outlines + object in chalk
The map outlines the flood zone with a thick red line.
At sunset, snow outlines the fence posts beside the empty field.
The designer outlines the bottle shape on cardboard for the label.
- fills in
adds color or detail inside the shape instead of just the edge
文法句型
outlines + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense usually takes something visible and concrete, such as a shape, object, area, or body part. It can describe either drawing the edge itself or making that edge stand out with color, light, or contrast.