# sketch

/ˈskɛtʃ/ (US) · /skˈɛtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sketch
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a quick drawing

noun · CEFR B1

a simple drawing that is made quickly and does not have many details.

For teachers: a rapidly executed freehand drawing, often serving as a preliminary study rather than a finished work.

- He made a quick sketch of the mountains in his notebook.
- The artist produced several charcoal sketches of the model before committing to the final oil portrait.

### 2. a short comedy scene

noun · CEFR B2

a short, funny performance that is part of a larger show.

For teachers: a brief, often humorous or satirical dramatic piece, typically performed as part of a revue or variety programme.

- The comedy show featured a hilarious sketch about a talking dog.
- The satirical sketch mocked the recent political scandals, drawing loud applause from the studio audience.

### 3. to draw quickly

verb · CEFR B1

to make a quick drawing of something.

For teachers: to produce a rough or preliminary drawing of a subject.

- She sketched the old bridge while waiting for the bus.
- The architect sketched the initial floor plan on a napkin during the lunch meeting to illustrate his vision.

### 4. to describe briefly

verb · CEFR B2

to give a short description of something without all the details.

For teachers: to provide a brief or general account of a situation or plan, omitting specific details.

- The manager sketched out the new plan for the team.
- In his opening remarks, the director sketched the historical context of the project before introducing the technical team.

### 5. suspicious or low quality

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

something that feels unsafe, dishonest, or poorly made.

For teachers: questionable, suspicious, or unreliable in nature; a shortened form of 'sketchy'.

- I didn't want to go into that dark alley because it looked a bit sketch.
- The website looked a bit sketch, so I decided not to enter my credit card details.

Usage: Often used as a predicative adjective after the verb 'to be' or 'to look'.

## Examples

- He made a quick sketch of the park in his notebook.
- The architect showed us a rough sketch of the house before creating the final digital plans.
- Although the artist's final portraits are famous for their realism, her initial charcoal sketches often capture a raw energy that the polished oil paintings lack.

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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.