From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishoutlineout‧line1 /ˈaʊtlaɪn/ ●●○ noun 1 SUMMARIZE[countable, uncountable] the main ideas or facts about something, without the details a research proposal outlineoutline of an outline of world historybroad/rough/general outline a broad outline of the committee’s plansin outline A debt reduction scheme was agreed in outline (=people agreed on its main points).2 CFSHAPE[countable, uncountable] a line around the edge of something which shows its shapeoutline of The outlines of animals were cut into the rock. an outline map of Europein outline figures drawn in outline3 [countable]SUMMARIZE a plan for a piece of writing in which each new idea or fact is separately written down Always write an outline for your essays.COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: the main ideas or facts about something, without the detailsadjectivesa broad/general outline (=the main ideas or parts of something rather than all the details)The report gives only a broad outline of the company's performance.a brief outlineEach chapter begins with a brief outline of the topics covered in the chapter.a basic outlineI remembered the basic outline of the story, but not how it ended.a rough outline (=one that has no details and that might change)Thompson gave me a rough outline of what had happened at the previous meeting.the bare outline (=one with no details at all)The paragraph gives readers only the bare outline of Milton's life.verbsgive somebody an outlineThe leaflet gives you an outline of the Party's main policies.provide an outlineThe first chapter provides an outline of the theory of evolution. COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: a line around the edge of something which shows its shapeadjectivesa vague/dim outline (=difficult to see)I could just make out a vague outline of a barn.a blurred outline (=unclear)Through the spaces between the bars he saw the blurred outline of the oil derrick high in the sky.a clear/sharp outlinePeeling off the tape after the paint has dried leaves a clear outline to the shapes.verbsdraw an outline First, I draw out the outline of the leaf onto paper, and start adding areas of colour.trace an outline (=draw the outline of something, usually with your finger or toe)She traced the outline of his lips with her fingers.outline + NOUNan outline mapan outline map of the islandan outline drawing/sketchOnce I am happy with the outline sketch, I start painting.
Examples from the Corpusoutline• In a short statement, Akers gave an outline of his plans for the company.• The book begins with an outline of the events that led to the First World War.• an outline agreement• In this paper I will give a broad outline of the research we have been doing.• A chalk outline of the victim's body was still visible on the sidewalk.• The opportunity to see a semantic net and dynamically generate outlines from it may help authors mold the desired document.• This chapter shows, in outline, the way money circulates through the economy.• This section will focus on solicitors' charges but will only consider them in outline.• In outline the tax is simple.• In the case of an overflow of note material, extra pages may easily be attached to the proposal outline.• Begin with a review of your proposal as prepared, using the proposal outline and the accompanying guidelines.• The note patternings are really very simple in rhythmic outline, very closely resembling those of early choral music.• Write a short outline covering the main points before you start on your essay.• The solid outline encloses the subset of the array that we were able to characterize fully.• On the envelopes had been stamped the outlines of Santa Claus, holly, and a reindeer.• The outline of a footprint was visible in the snow.in outline• The events are familiar, at least in outline , to most of the students.outline map• It opens with an outline map and the superimposition of the rather rigid zones used by the emergency planners.outlineoutline2 ●●○ verb [transitive] 1 SUMMARIZEto describe something in a general way, giving the main points but not the details The new president outlined plans to deal with crime, drugs, and education.2 AVSHAPEto show the edge of something, or draw around its edge, so that its shape is clear a map with our property outlined in red trees outlined against the skyGrammar Outline is usually passive in this meaning.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpusoutline• The President outlined his peace plan for the Middle East.• Rosemary Verey, creator of Barnsley House in the Cotswolds outlined how to turn his looming hemlocks into topiary.• A possible way of minimising this difficulty is outlined in the following section on more general formative assessment.• Childhood insomnia is responsive to many of the suggestions outlined in this book.• He declined to provide a copy of the report but agreed to outline its contents.• We conclude by outlining likely future developments in residential child care.• This essay outlines the uses of comparative history as well as Mill's methods of agreement and difference.• Each member of staff received a letter outlining their responsibilities and duties.• The picture can then be outlined using seeds - peppers, coriander, melon, etc.• Plans outline where you want to go.