Synonyms of contour

contour

noun

ˈkän-ˌtu̇r 

as in outline

a line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface

a car with flowing contours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outline
• silhouette
• shape
• figure
• sketch
• geometry
• profile
• configuration
• delineation
• framework
• skeleton
• form
• skyline
• cast
• conformation

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun contour differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contour are outline, profile, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

In what contexts can outline take the place of contour?

The meanings of outline and contour largely overlap; however, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When might profile be a better fit than contour?

Although the words profile and contour have much in common, profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

Where would silhouette be a reasonable alternative to contour?

The words silhouette and contour are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Examples of contour in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Any change to the way Nebraska awards its five electoral votes could have had a major effect on the contours and strategy of the final few weeks of the campaign. —Npr Washington Desk, NPR, 23 Sep. 2024

Perhaps that’s because the concept itself is so malleable, so personal, so able to expand and contract and nimbly fill the contours of any idea: Success can be as small as making a perfect omelet or as large and consequential as curing a disease. —Josh Condon, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2024

The cult-favorite brand is known for its iconic blush and contour duos, which are used by everyone from Love Island USA’s Leah Kateb to Olympic gymnast Suni Lee. —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2024

Road Map: Engage, Assess, Optimize The change leader started by managing expectations and laying out a road map that stated the contours of the change journey: the first 30 days would be to engage with people in the organization. —Katharina Schmidt, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024