sketch Definition
sketch (skec̸h)
noun
- a simple, rough drawing or design, done rapidly and without much detail
- a brief plan or description of major parts or points; outline
- a short, light, informal story, description, play, skit, or piece of music
Etymology: earlier schitz < Du schets < It schizzo < L schedium, extempore poem < Gr schedios, extempore, sudden < schein, to hold: see scheme
transitive verb
to draw or describe quickly or in outline; make a sketch of
intransitive verb
to make a sketch or sketches
sketch Related Forms
sketch Synonyms
sketch
n.
A drawing or plan
portrayal, picture, draft, design, outline, adumbration, form, shape, delineation, drawing, representation, painting, skeleton, figure, figuration, configuration, depiction, illustration, copy, likeness, croquis (French), fashion plate, rough sketch, preliminary sketch, tentative sketch; see also picture 3, plan 1.A description or plan
summary, survey, outline, draft; see description 1, plan 1, 2.
sketch Synonyms
sketch Usage Examples
Converse of object
- annotate: Build up a study of annotated sketches, detailed drawings and if possible, take photographs on site.
- draw: I have a framed sketch drawn by a fan in the audience at Kettering.
- improvise: Since 1985 he has improvised sketches and stories with the Comedy Store Players, of which he is a founder-member.
Adjective modifier
- biographical: General Sir John Moore - Brief biographical sketch of the general.
- rough: Let me now give you a rough sketch of Neill's life.
- preliminary: This is pure watercolor painting: there was no preliminary pencil sketch.
- preparatory: No preparatory sketches were made, the figure or mask being conceived form a mental picture, often based on long established conventions.
- autobiographical: The best and most recent account of Dyce, and a fascinating autobiographical sketch by a major 19th-century literary figure.
- humorous: It uses humorous sketches to promote an anti-violence message.
Modifies a noun
- troupe: The Cowards are a four-man sketch troupe who write smart, funny sketches and perform them in jeans and pumps and short-sleeved shirts.
- map: For a sketch map of the route we follow, click here.
- comedy: It's a tremendously funny, totally unique Comedy Central sketch comedy show.
Modifying Another Word
freehand: The panel was sketched freehand, paying particular attention to areas of fading, detail or difficulty.
Noun used with modifier
- thumbnail: She hands over the letters to the women with a thumbnail sketch of the contents of each one.
- pencil: I can no longer see pencil sketches on my stand.
- watercolor: I use these images together with drawings and watercolor sketches to create paintings which exploit the beauty and luster of the silk.
- comedy: Not many people will risk their lives for a comedy sketch.
- thumb-nail: Some schoolteachers have asked that we give them a thumb-nail sketch of those who teach for the Faculty.
- hand-drawn: PLUS there will be an original hand-drawn sketch card in EVERY box!
Preposition: in
pencil: Her many paintings, just over 400 in total, were sketched in pencil and then painted with gouache.
Browse dictionary entries near sketch
- ‹ skerry
- ‹ skepticism
- ‹ skeptically
- ‹ skeptical
- ‹ skeptic
- ‹ skep
- ‹ skene
- ‹ Skelton, Robin
- ‹ Skelton, Red (Richard)
- ‹ Skelton, Red
- sketchbook ›
- sketchily ›
- sketchy ›
- skew ›
- skew arch ›
- skew lines ›
- skew polygon ›
- skewback ›
- skewbald ›
- skewer ›

