contour

1 of 3

noun

con·​tour ˈkän-ˌtu̇r 

1

: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure : shape

the sleek contours of the car

The map shows the contour of the coastline.

also : the line representing this outline

2

: the general form or structure of something : characteristic

—often used in plural

the contours of a melody

… the contours of political and social theories.

—James G. Paradis

3

: a usually meaningful change in intonation in speech

contour

2 of 3

adjective

1

: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them

contour flooding

contour farming

2

: made to fit the contour of something

a contour couch

contour sheets

contour

3 of 3

verb

contoured; contouring; contours

transitive verb

1

a

: to shape the contour of

b

: to shape so as to fit contours

2

: to construct (something, such as a road) in conformity to a contour

Synonyms of contour

Noun

• outline
• silhouette

Choose the Right Synonym for contour

outline, contour, profile, silhouette mean the line that bounds and gives form to something.

outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

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

Noun

He loved the sleek contours of the car.

The map showed the contour of the coastline.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Softer mattresses contour to your body, while firmer mattresses lift the body just off the surface. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

From there, Hughes builds in a contour crayon, tracing just inside the bronzer to create dimension, before going back in with the fluffy brush to blend once more. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Yet the company still wanted to hang on to the wholesome image evoked by its contour glass bottle. —Saabira Chaudhuri, Wired News, 24 Sep. 2025

As in, liquid blush is topped with powder blush; contour stick is topped with bronzer, and face powder is used both immediately after applying cream products and to finish it all off later. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 July 2025

Verb

Multi-density sponges – wrapped in impossibly soft elastic micro-linen fabric – in the seat and headrest contoured to every curve in my anatomy, deliberately cupping each vertebra as if the chair were custom fitted to me, and me only. —New Atlas, 1 Jan. 2026

While some liquid formulas are certainly worth your purchase, always finish off with sweeps of powder blush to set everything and contour your upper cheekbones, inspired by the blush-heavy eras of the 1930s and 1980s. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian contorno, from contornare to round off, from Medieval Latin, to turn around, from Latin com- + tornare to turn on a lathe — more at turn entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing contour

• contour feather
• contour line
• contour map

Rhymes for contour

• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• couture
• demure
• detour
• endure
• ensure

Kids Definition

contour

1 of 3 noun

con·​tour ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r 

1

: the outline of a figure, body, or surface

2

: a line or drawing showing an outline

contour

2 of 3 adjective

1

: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them

contour farming

contour flooding

2

: made to fit the contour of something

contour bedsheets

contour

3 of 3 verb

1

: to shape the contour of

2

: to shape to fit contours

Medical Definition

contour

1 of 2 noun

con·​tour ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r 

: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure

also : the line representing this outline

contour

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to shape the contour of

contour a gingiva in gingivoplasty