outline
gb/ˈaʊtlˌaɪn/ us/ˈaʊtlˌaɪn/
B1
English
~ 2800
vázlat, felvázol, körvonal
NOUN
B1
1
vázlat
B1
Usage pattern:
an outline of [something]
The teacher gave us an outline of the topics for the exam.
A tanár vázlatot adott nekünk a vizsgatémákról.
Before writing the essay, she prepared an outline of her main arguments.
Mielőtt megírta volna az esszét, vázlatot készített a fő érveiről.
The presentation began with an outline of the company's history.
He sent me an outline of the proposal before our meeting.
The book starts with an outline of the scientific method.
Learner examples
We read an outline of the story.
Elolvastuk a történet vázlatát.
The teacher showed us an outline of the lesson.
A tanár megmutatta nekünk az óra vázlatát.
I wrote an outline before my speech.
She made an outline for her project.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'outline' with 'headline'. A headline is a title for news or articles, while an outline is a structured plan or summary.
Meaning
Main points or structure
Collocations
brief outline
|basic outline
|detailed outline
|outline of the report
|course outline
Synonyms
summary (Focuses on giving the main points in brief form, often even shorter than an outline.)
|
plan (A more detailed arrangement or schedule; may include steps and timing.)
Antonyms
detail (Refers to small, specific pieces of information rather than a broad overview.)
Themes
communication
|education
|planning
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short plan or description that gives the main ideas but not all the details.
A general description, plan, or summary that presents only the most important parts of something without details.
VERB
B1
2
felvázol
B2
Usage pattern:
to outline [something]
In her speech, she outlined the key points of the new policy.
Beszédében felvázolta az új irányelv főbb pontjait.
The manager outlined the steps we need to take to finish the project.
A vezető felvázolta, milyen lépéseket kell megtennünk a projekt befejezéséhez.
He outlined his ideas for improving customer service.
The brochure outlines what the tour will include.
They outlined their proposal during the meeting.
Learner examples
She outlined her plan to us.
Felvázolta nekünk a tervét.
The teacher outlined the lesson.
A tanár felvázolta az óra menetét.
I will outline my idea for you.
He outlined the main steps.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'outline' as a verb with 'highlight'. Highlight means to emphasize something, not necessarily to give its structure.
Meaning
Describe main points briefly
Collocations
outline a plan
|outline a proposal
|outline a strategy
|outline the steps
Synonyms
summarize (Gives a condensed version; may be even briefer than outlining.)
|
sketch (Can mean to give a rough idea; less formal than 'outline'.)
Antonyms
elaborate (To give more detail rather than just the main points.)
Themes
communication
|education
|planning
|work
Definition
To explain something by giving only the main ideas, not all the details.
To describe, plan, or explain something by giving only its most important parts without going into detail.
NOUN
B2
3
körvonal
B1
Usage pattern:
the outline of [something]
The outline of the mountain was visible against the sky.
A hegy körvonala kirajzolódott az ég előtt.
I traced the outline of my hand on the paper.
Lerajzoltam a kezem körvonalát a papírra.
We could just make out the outline of a ship in the fog.
The artist sketched the outline before adding details.
She drew an outline around the shape.
Learner examples
I saw the outline of a tree.
Láttam egy fa körvonalát.
He drew the outline of a house.
Lerajzolta egy ház körvonalát.
We could see the outline of a man.
She made an outline of her hand.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'outline' with 'contour'. 'Contour' is more technical and often used in geography or fashion design.
Meaning
Outer edge or silhouette
Collocations
faint outline
|clear outline
|dark outline
|outline of a building
Synonyms
silhouette (Specifically refers to a dark shape seen against a lighter background.)
Antonyms
interior (Refers to the inside part rather than the outer edge.)
Themes
visual
|art
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The shape or edge of something that you can see against a background.
The line or shape that forms the outer edge of an object, often seen as a silhouette against a background.
Grammar
Dictionary form
outline
IPA
GB/ˈaʊtlˌaɪn/
US/ˈaʊtlˌaɪn/
Syllables & stress
out - line (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (out)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: outline
- Plural: outlines
Verb
- Base: outline
- 3rd Person Singular: outlines
- Present Participle: outlining
- Past: outlined
Word family
Forms
outlines
noun
outlining
verb
outlined
verb
Advanced or less common
outliner
noun
Expressions
in outline
1/ˈɪn ˈaʊtlˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
In general terms only
Said when giving only the main ideas without all the details.
Examples
- The plan looks good in outline, but we need more detail before starting.
- In outline, the novel follows a classic hero's journey.
sketch out
1/skˈɛt͡ʃ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Give an outline or rough version
To make or show the main parts of something without much detail.
Examples
- She sketched out her proposal on a piece of paper.
- We need to sketch out our marketing plan before the meeting.
- He sketched out the plot for his next book.
- She sketched out her idea on a napkin.