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
Charna Flam, People.com, 11 July 2025
David will star in, co-write and executive produce a sketch comedy series about American history.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Through some 90 pieces, drawn from the brand’s patrimonial collections but also on loan from private collectors, the display is about the rich history left behind by founder Jean Dinh Van, a singular jeweler who sculpted rather than sketched his designs.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sketch
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Noun
The unlikely trio will collaborate on a new, still-untitled sketch comedy for HBO, focusing on American history, the network announced on Thursday, July 10.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 11 July 2025
David will star in, co-write and executive produce a sketch comedy series about American history.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Verb
By reimagining the boundaries of where its sport can potentially thrive, the AVP might have sketched out a novel blueprint for other sports.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Through some 90 pieces, drawn from the brand’s patrimonial collections but also on loan from private collectors, the display is about the rich history left behind by founder Jean Dinh Van, a singular jeweler who sculpted rather than sketched his designs.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 10 July 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 23 Jul. 2025.
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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