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

The series, which premiered on HBO on June 26, is executive produced by Barack Obama, who also appears in a sketch. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 27 June 2026

The entertainer gained notoriety on social media in the late 2010s for his sketches mocking everyday scenarios. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Verb

Those tests include answering questions under a sudden, blinding interrogation light (a bit that reliably catches her guests off guard) and sketching a personal family crest mid-conversation. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026

Rodriguez gained popularity after joining TikTok in 2020 and creating a series of videos of him sketching commuters on the New York City Subway. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 18 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