Sketch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈskech/

Meaning & Definition of Sketch

Sketch (noun)

  1. a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene and often made as a preliminary study
  2. a tentative draft (as for a literary work)
  3. a brief description (as of a person) or outline

Sketch (verb)

  1. to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of
  2. to draw or paint a sketch

Sketch (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene

    "made a quick sketch from which she would create a more detailed painting later"

    similar: cartoon, delineation, drawing
    related: contour, figure, outline, silhouette, caricature, doodle, illustration, depiction, image, likeness, portrait, representation, engraving, etch, etching, aquatint, charcoal, line drawing, pastel, watercolor, blueprint

  2. a vivid representation in words of someone or something

    "gave her boss quick sketches of the personalities of the clients he was about to meet"

    similar: definition, delineation, depiction, description, picture, portrait, portraiture, portrayal, rendering, vignette
    related: account, anecdote, chronicle, narrative, report, story, tale, yarn, demonstration, exemplification, illustration, clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition

Sketch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to draw or make apparent the outline of

    "sketched the garden pavilion on a pad of paper so the homeowners would have a rough idea of how it was going to look"

    similar: define, delineate, outline, silhouette, trace
    related: line, bound, fringe, margin, skirt, edge, hem, rim, trim, frame, circle, compass, encircle, girdle, girth, loop, ring, round, surround, chart, diagram, draw, map (out)

  2. to give a representation or account of in words

    "briefly sketched the intent of the reorganization plan"

    similar: delineate, depict, describe, draw, image, limn, paint, picture, portray, render, set out
    related: characterize, define, label, qualify, represent, demonstrate, illustrate, narrate, recite, recount, rehearse, relate, report, tell, display, exhibit, show, hint, suggest, draft, outline, silhouette, trace, vignette, summarize, sum up, touch off, redescribe, reimage
    near: color, distort, falsify, garble, misdescribe, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, twist, warp

Related Entry: Character sketch (noun)

Character sketch is a different word from Sketch. The synonyms below are for character sketch, not for sketch.

  1. as in profile

    similar: profile, obituary, chronicle, history, past, story, pathography, tell-all, psychobiography, hagiography, autobiography, bio, biography, life, memoir

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sketch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sketch:

cartoon, delineation, drawing, definition, depiction, description, picture, portrait, portraiture, portrayal, rendering, vignette, define, delineate, outline, silhouette, trace, depict, describe, draw, image, limn, paint, portray, render, set out

Related Words for Sketch

contour, figure, caricature, doodle, illustration, likeness, representation, engraving, etch, etching, aquatint, charcoal, line drawing, pastel, watercolor, blueprint, account, anecdote, chronicle, narrative, report, story, tale, yarn, demonstration, exemplification, clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication

Near Antonyms of Sketch

color, distort, falsify, garble, misdescribe, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, twist, warp

Word Forms of Sketch

Inflections: sketched, sketching, sketches

Derived words: sketcher (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Sketch

Dutch schets, from Italian schizzo, literally, splash, from schizzare to splash, of imitative origin

First known use: 1668

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Sketch

  • Topics: Arts & Design

Words & Phrases Containing Sketch

sketch in, sketch pad, thumbnail sketch

Frequently Asked Questions about Sketch

What does "Sketch" mean?

"Sketch" means a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene and often made as a preliminary study. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene and often made as a preliminary study. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sketch"?

Other words for "Sketch" include cartoon, delineation, drawing, definition, depiction, description, picture and portrait. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sketch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sketch"?

There are 102 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sketch". Common alternatives include cartoon, delineation, drawing, definition, depiction, description, picture, portrait, portraiture and portrayal.

How do you use "Sketch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sketch" in a sentence: "made a quick sketch from which she would create a more detailed painting later"; "gave her boss quick sketches of the personalities of the clients he was about to meet"; "sketched the garden pavilion on a pad of paper so the homeowners would have a rough idea of how it was going to look".

Is "Sketch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Sketch" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Sketch"?

"Sketch" is pronounced /ˈskech/.

What is the origin of the word "Sketch"?

"Sketch" comes from Dutch schets, from Italian schizzo, literally, splash, from schizzare to splash, of imitative origin. First known use: 1668.

What is another word for "Sketch" meaning "a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene"?

When "Sketch" (noun) means a picture using lines to represent the chief features of an object or scene, synonyms include cartoon, delineation and drawing.