sketch

[ skech ]

noun

1. a simply or hastily executed drawing or painting, especially a preliminary one, giving the essential features without the details.
2. a rough design, plan, or draft, as of a book.

   Synonyms: outline

3. a brief or hasty outline of facts, occurrences, etc.:

   a sketch of his life.

4. a short, usually descriptive, essay, history, or story.
5. a short play or slight dramatic performance, as one forming part of a vaudeville program.

   Synonyms: routine, act, skit

verb (used with object)

1. to make a sketch of.

   Synonyms: represent, delineate, design, outline, draw

2. to set forth in a brief or general account:

   He sketched his own part in the affair.

3. Metallurgy. (in a steel mill or the like) to mark (a piece) for cutting.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a sketch or sketches.

sketch

/ skɛtʃ /

noun

1. a rapid drawing or painting, often a study for subsequent elaboration
2. a brief usually descriptive and informal essay or other literary composition
3. a short play, often comic, forming part of a revue
4. a short evocative piece of instrumental music, esp for piano
5. any brief outline

verb

1. to make a rough drawing (of)
2. troften foll byout to make a brief description of

Derived Forms

• ˈsketcher, noun
• ˈsketchable, adjective

Other Words From

• sketcher noun
• sketching·ly adverb
• sketchlike adjective
• re·sketch verb (used with object)
• un·sketched adjective
• well-sketched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sketch¹

1660–70; < Dutch schets (noun) ≪ Italian schizzo < Latin schedium extemporaneous poem, noun use of neuter of schedius extempore < Greek schédios

Word History and Origins

Origin of sketch¹

C17: from Dutch schets, via Italian from Latin schedius hastily made, from Greek skhedios unprepared

Synonym Study

See depict.

Example Sentences

The comedy troupe played sold-out shows there for a year before making their film debut with the indie sketch comedy “The Kentucky Fried Movie” in 1977.

From Los Angeles Times

Maclin had an artistic streak, developing his craft by sketching and painting portraits.

From Los Angeles Times

“What was old is new again. You know what YouTube was in the beginning? It was sketch comedy. It was supposed to be fun and funny and not just viral moments.”

From New York Times

The book, labelled Roman Studies, was filled with neat handwriting and detailed sketches of an amphitheatre, Roman bathing systems and cities.

From BBC

Alvarez has been acting, writing, directing and producing songs, sketches and series for years online.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• account
• blueprint
• cartoon
• chart
• copy
• depiction
• description
• illustration
• likeness
• painting
• picture
• piece
• portrayal
• summary
• version
• vignette

More About Sketch

What is a basic definition of sketch?

A sketch is a drawing or painting that is usually made quickly and lacks finer details. Sketch is also used to mean to create a sketch of something. A sketch can also be a short dramatic performance. Sketch has a few other senses as a verb and a noun.

Most artists begin with a sketch, or many sketches, before they work on what will be the final product, such as an oil painting. For example, cartoonists will often make a sketch of a new character without colors, shading, or detailed lines so they can get feedback before putting in too much effort. A painter may draw a sketch of landscape with colored pencils so they can figure out the best colors and shades that would go well together.

• Real-life examples: Many artists would be happy to draw a sketch of something for you if you pay them the right price. Police will often create a sketch of a suspect based on a witness’s description of them. You can find many early sketches of famous characters like Mickey Mouse and SpongeBob SquarePants on the internet.
• Used in a sentence: The artist made several sketches of the model before beginning his work on the elaborate portrait. 

In this same sense, sketch is used as a verb to mean to draw a sketch of something.

• Used in a sentence: I sketched a cat in my notebook during the boring lecture. 

A sketch is also a short dramatic performance, especially one that is part of a comedy show. Comedic performances that consist solely of a collection of short, humorous stories are known as sketch comedy.

• Real-life examples: Saturday Night Live, The Kids in the Hall, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and Sesame Street are television programs that all use sketches.
• Used in a sentence: Chris Farley was in most of my favorite sketches from Saturday Night Live.

Where does sketch come from?

The first records of sketch come from around 1660. It ultimately comes from the Greek skhedios, meaning “unprepared.”

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to sketch?

• sketcher (noun)
• sketchingly (adverb)
• sketchlike (adjective)
• resketch (verb)

What are some synonyms for sketch?

• drawing
• outline
• chalk
• depict

What are some words that share a root or word element with sketch? 

• sketchy
• sketchbook
• sketchpad

What are some words that often get used in discussing sketch?

• pencil
• draw
• quick
• simple
• basic

How is sketch used in real life?

Sketch is a common word that most often refers to quick, basic drawings.

I found some sketches I did at 17 of tattoos I wanted and I'm just really grateful I didn't have the money for a tattoo at 17.

— Keanu Steez (@boatsandhoes92) November 27, 2016

It's cute how my sister sketched a picture of what she wanted her wedding dress to be like when she was 17 & her real dress was just like it

— Amy Estrella (@_amy4197) May 6, 2014

The Christopher Walken “more cowbell sketch” is responsible for making me hyper aware of when there is a cowbell in any song

— Emily Paulus (@empaul_) August 13, 2018

Try using sketch!

True or False?

A sketch is a finished drawing that includes all of the specific details and colors.