sketch

/skɛtʃ/

/skɛtʃ/

Other forms: sketches; sketched; sketching

A sketch is a rough or brief outline of something. If you hand in a sketch, instead of your full paper, don't expect to get a very high grade!

The word sketch can be used when talking about something visual, particularly a drawing. An artist might sketch a friend in an hour, and then go home and take weeks to complete the portrait. A sketch can also refer to a short verbal or narrative account. You might want to give your friend a brief sketch of what happened to you today, instead of boring her with every last detail, including the hours you spent washing and then folding your laundry.

Definitions of sketch

1. noun

   preliminary drawing for later elaboration
   synonyms: study

   types:

   design

   a preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something

   draft, rough drawing

   a preliminary sketch of a design or picture

   vignette

   a small illustrative sketch (as sometimes placed at the beginning of chapters in books)

   type of:

   drawing

   a representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines
2. noun

   a humorous or satirical drawing published in a newspaper or magazine
   synonyms: cartoon

   types:

   cartoon strip, comic strip, funnies, strip

   a sequence of drawings telling a story in a newspaper or comic book

   type of:

   humor, humour, wit, witticism, wittiness

   a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
3. noun

   short descriptive summary (of events)
   synonyms: resume, survey

   type of:

   sum-up, summary

   a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form
4. noun

   a brief literary description
   synonyms: vignette

   type of:

   description

   the act of describing something
5. verb

   make a sketch of
   “sketch the building”

   synonyms: chalk out

   type of:

   draw

   represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface
6. verb

   describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
   synonyms: adumbrate, outline

   types:

   block out

   indicate roughly

   type of:

   depict, describe, draw

   give a description of