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
sketched; sketching; sketches
: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of
: to draw or paint a sketch
sketcher
noun
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
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and (blond) Nicholas Hoult made sketch after lip sync after gimmick look easy, breezy, and optional.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Jan. 2026
The two worked together on early concepts for Disneyland — with Bushman quickly sketching Bradley’s ride ideas and Walt offering periodic feedback.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sketch
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Noun
The group's second-ever SNL sketch became an online sensation and changed the trajectory of the trio's careers.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and (blond) Nicholas Hoult made sketch after lip sync after gimmick look easy, breezy, and optional.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
Amoroso showed her work at various galleries that always seemed to go under and found jobs working for other artists and as a graphic designer for an architecture firm, sketching signage.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Jan. 2026
The two worked together on early concepts for Disneyland — with Bushman quickly sketching Bradley’s ride ideas and Walt offering periodic feedback.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sketch
Cite this Entry
“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sketch. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sketch
1 of 2 noun1
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 verb1
: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of
2
: to draw or paint a sketch
sketcher
noun
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