# outline

/ˈaʊtˌɫaɪn/ (US) · /ˈaʊtlaɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/outline
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. outer shape

noun · CEFR B1

the line or shape that shows the edge of an object.

For teachers: the line marking the outer boundary or contour of an object or figure.

- In the fog, we could only see the dark outline of the mountains.
- The artist used charcoal to trace the rough outline of the model before adding any internal detail or shading.

### 2. a summary or plan

noun · CEFR B2

a short description of the main points of a plan, book, or speech.

For teachers: a structured summary or preliminary plan that highlights the essential features or main points of a subject.

- The teacher asked us to write an outline before we started our essays.
- The project manager presented a broad outline of the new strategy, leaving the specific technical requirements for a later discussion.

### 3. film story

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a written version of a story used to plan a movie script.

For teachers: a prose narrative of a story intended for development into a screenplay, typically more detailed than a treatment.

- The writer sent a ten-page outline to the studio to see if they liked the plot.
- After the initial pitch was accepted, the screenwriter spent three weeks refining the outline to ensure the pacing of the second act was effective.

### 4. to describe main points

verb · CEFR B2

to give a short description of the most important parts of something.

For teachers: to provide a summary of the principal aspects or features of a plan or theory.

- The director will outline the new safety rules at the meeting tomorrow.
- The report outlines several key areas where the company can improve its environmental impact over the next decade.

### 5. to draw the edge

verb · CEFR B1

to draw the outer edge or shape of something.

For teachers: to draw or trace the outer edge or contour of a physical object.

- She used a black pen to outline the stars she had drawn.
- The architect carefully outlined the footprint of the building on the site map to show how it would fit between the existing trees.

## Examples

- She wrote a brief outline of her essay before starting.
- The director presented a detailed outline of the script to the producers to secure funding for the film.
- The mountain range appeared as a jagged black outline against the fading light of the sunset, providing a stark contrast to the vibrant orange sky.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.