plural silhouettes
1
a
: a dark shape in front of a light background
the silhouettes of buildings against the sky
The buildings appeared in silhouette against the sky.
b
: a picture of something showing it as a dark shape on a light background
especially
: such a picture showing a person's face from the side
My piano teacher has a framed silhouette of Mozart on her wall.
a portrait of my mother done in silhouette
2
: the shape or outline of something
He admired the sports car's sleek silhouette.
silhouettes; silhouetted; silhouetting
: to make (someone or something) appear as a dark shape in front of a light background
—often used as (be) silhouetted
The house was silhouetted against the sky.
Cite this Entry
“Silhouette.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/silhouette. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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