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

Noun

• cartoon
• delineation
• drawing

Verb

• define
• delineate
• outline
• silhouette
• trace

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

There’s a reason so many sitcoms and sketch shows have catchphrases or running gags, after all. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2024

His additional writing credits include Women in Prison, Nurses, Live-In, Living Dolls, Married People, and Doogie Howser, M.D. He was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2019 for his work on Netflix’s historical sketch comedy series, The Who Was? —Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2024

Verb

The book sketches out the surprising ways that these social networks sway our behavior, moods, and health, and its conclusions can be mind-bending. —Chelsea Leu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2024

In 1782, Danish naturalist and scientific illustrator Otto Frederik Müller observed and sketched small dots in green algae, capturing these structures with the limited technology available at the time. —Trevor Grandpre, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024

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

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