contour

[ kon-toor ]

noun

1. the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.

   Synonyms: boundary, form, configuration

2. contour line.
3. Phonetics. a distinctive pattern of changes in pitch, stress, or tone extending across all or part of an utterance, especially across a sentence, and contributing to meaning.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark with contour lines.
2. to make or form the contour or outline of.
3. to build (a road, railroad track, etc.) in conformity with the contour of the land.
4. to mold or shape so as to fit a certain configuration:

   cars with seats that are contoured for comfort.

5. to apply foundation and bronzer along the natural bone structure of (the face) to create definition:

   ways to contour your nose.

adjective

1. molded or shaped to fit a particular contour or form:

   contour seats.

2. Agriculture. of or used in a system of plowing, cultivating, sowing, etc., along the contour lines of the land in order to trap water runoff and prevent erosion.

contour

/ ˈkɒntʊə /

noun

1. the outline of a mass of land, figure, or body; a defining line
2. 1. See contour line
   2. ( as modifier )

      a contour map

3. often plural the shape or surface, esp of a curving form

   the contours of her body were full and round

4. modifier shaped to fit the form of something

   a contour chair

5. a rising and falling variation pattern, as in music and intonation

verb

1. to shape so as to form the contour of something
2. to mark contour lines on
3. to construct (a road, railway, etc) to follow the outline of the land

Other Words From

• re·con·tour verb (used with object)
• un·con·toured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contour¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from French, equivalent to con- + tour “a turn,” modeled on Italian contorno, derivative of contornare “to outline”; con-, tour, turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of contour¹

C17: from French, from Italian contorno, from contornare to sketch, from tornare to turn

Example Sentences

The contour lines indicate signal strength.

From Space Scoop

“I don’t think a week went by for many, many years where a new twist, victim, history of the scammer or contour of the scam itself did not emerge. It just made everything bigger and weirder as the story kept on evolving over the course of many years.”

From Seattle Times

The contour lines indicate signal strength.

From Space Scoop

If this occurs on a person’s face, it may rarely produce a smooth, attractive-appearing facial contour known as lepra bonita, or “pretty leprosy.”

From Salon

The contour lines indicate signal strength.

From Space Scoop

Related Words

• curve
• silhouette