outline

verb

outlined; outlining; outlines

transitive verb

1

: to draw the outline of

2

: to indicate the principal features or different parts of

outlined their responsibilities

Synonyms of outline

• trace
• define
• sketch

Examples of outline in a Sentence

The President outlined his agenda for the next term.

The book outlines the major events of the country's history.

All players must follow the rules outlined above.

Recent Examples on the Web

The legislation would only allow an audit of the limited records the Supreme Judicial Court outlined in its recent order – the adoption of the official budget by both chambers, expenditures, joint legislative operations, and monetary settlement agreements, all dating back to 2021. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026

Since that goal was outlined more than two years ago and the company has continued flying its experienced boosters safely across dozens of missions, SpaceX may be intending to push past 40 missions. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026

The company outlined the new tools on a new webpage about child safety. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Altair and four other stars form a large vertical diamond that outlines the eagle’s wingspan. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline

Kids Definition

outline

1 of 2 noun

out·​line ˈau̇t-ˌlīn 

1

: a line that traces or forms the outer limits of an object or figure and shows its shape

2

a

: a drawing or picture giving only the outlines of something

b

: this method of drawing

3

a

: a brief summary or plan often in numbered divisions

b

: a brief treatment of a subject

an outline of world history

outline

2 of 2 verb

1

: to draw or trace the outline of

2

: to indicate the main features or parts of

outlined our responsibilities