# outline

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈaʊtlaɪn/ · frequency rank #8,071

## Definitions
1. A line marking the boundary of an object figure.
2. The outer shape of an object or figure.
3. A sketch or drawing in which objects are delineated in contours without shading.
4. A general description of some subject.
5. A statement summarizing the important points of a text.
6. A preliminary plan for a project.
7. A prose telling of a story intended to be turned into a screenplay; generally longer and more detailed than a treatment.
8. A setline or trotline.

## Etymology
From out + line.

## Easily confused with
- **outside** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/outline-vs-outside)
- **outlive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/outline-vs-outlive)
- **outlying** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/outline-vs-outlying)
- **online** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/online-vs-outline)
- **outing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/outing-vs-outline)
- **offline** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/offline-vs-outline)
- **outlier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/outlier-vs-outline)
- **outdone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/outdone-vs-outline)

## Common misspellings (9)
`otuline`, `oultine`, `outilne`, `outlien`, `outlinne`, `outlline`, `outlnie`, `outtline`, `uotline`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/outline