# outlined

/ˈaʊtˌɫaɪnd/ (US) · /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. summarised a plan

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to give a short description of the main parts of an idea or plan.

For teachers: to provide a summary of the principal features or general principles of a proposal or argument.

- The manager outlined the new project goals during the morning meeting.
- The prime minister outlined a comprehensive strategy for economic recovery, focusing on infrastructure investment and tax reform for small businesses.

Usage: Often used in formal or professional contexts to introduce a summary.

### 2. drew the shape

verb · CEFR B2

to draw the outer edge or shape of something.

For teachers: to trace or draw the exterior line or contour of an object.

- She outlined the shape of her hand on the paper with a pencil.
- The artist outlined the figures in charcoal before applying the first layers of oil paint to the canvas.

### 3. having a border

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

having a line around the outside edge.

For teachers: characterised by a visible border or contour line, often used in graphic design or typography.

- The poster used large outlined letters that were easy to read from far away.
- The designer opted for outlined fonts to ensure the text remained legible against the busy photographic background.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of digital fonts and vector graphics.

## Examples

- The manager outlined the new goals for the team.
- During the first meeting, the architect outlined the basic structure of the house before discussing specific materials.
- The prime minister outlined a comprehensive strategy for economic recovery, focusing on infrastructure investment and tax reform to stimulate long-term growth.

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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.