sketch

1 of 2

noun

ˈskech 

1

a

: a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene and often made as a preliminary study

b

: a tentative draft (as for a literary work)

2

: a brief description (as of a person) or outline

3

a

: a short literary composition somewhat resembling the short story and the essay but intentionally slight in treatment, discursive in style, and familiar in tone

b

: a short instrumental composition usually for piano

c

: a slight theatrical piece having a single scene

especially : a comic variety act

sketch

2 of 2

verb

sketched; sketching; sketches

transitive verb

: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of

intransitive verb

: to draw or paint a sketch

sketcher noun

Synonyms of sketch

Noun

• drawing
• portrait
• illustration
• depiction
• image
• cartoon

Verb

• trace
• outline
• define

Examples of sketch in a Sentence

Noun

He made a sketch of his house.

He wrote up a sketch of the plot.

There is a biographical sketch of the author on the book's back cover.

Verb

He sketched the trees outside his window.

He likes to sit outside and sketch.

She sketched the plan for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Jerry Seinfeld joins David in a Lewis and Clark sketch; Bill Hader and Kathryn Hahn play Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln; Jon Hamm and Sean Hayes the Wright Brothers, and so on. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Obsession also stars Barker’s That’s a Bad Idea YouTube sketch and Milk & Serial film collaborator Cooper Tomlinson, as well as Megan Lawless and Andy Richter. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Verb

According to Minerva, creating these luxurious sets starts with sketching the signature swirling line work in black. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026

Answers will be revealed and futures will be sketched out during this weekend’s ceremony. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Dutch schets, from Italian schizzo, literally, splash, from schizzare to splash, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1694, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing sketch

• sketch in
• sketch pad
• thumbnail sketch

Rhymes for sketch

• etch
• fetch
• fletch
• ketch
• stretch
• vetch
• wretch

Kids Definition

sketch

1 of 2 noun

ˈskech 

1

a

: a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene

b

: a rough draft (as of a story)

2

: a brief description or outline

3

: a short comedy piece

sketch

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of

2

: to draw or paint a sketch

sketcher noun