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.

Related Words

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