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¹sketch

noun \ˈskech\

: a quick, rough drawing that shows the main features of an object or scene

: a short description of something

: a short, funny performance

Full Definition of SKETCH

a : a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene and often made as a preliminary study

b : a tentative draft (as for a literary work)

: a brief description (as of a person) or outline

a : a short literary composition somewhat resembling the short story and the essay but intentionally slight in treatment, discursive in style, and familiar in tone

b : a short instrumental composition usually for piano

c : a slight theatrical piece having a single scene; especially : a comic variety act

See sketch defined for English-language learners

See sketch defined for kids

Origin of SKETCH

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

First Known Use: 1668

Related to SKETCH

Synonyms: cartoon, delineation, drawing

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

Rhymes with SKETCH

catch, etch, fetch, fletch, ketch, kvetch, lech, letch, retch, stretch, vetch, wretch

²sketch

verb

: to make a quick, rough drawing of (something)

: to describe (something) briefly

Full Definition of SKETCH

transitive verb

: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of

intransitive verb

: to draw or paint a sketch

— sketch·er noun

See sketch defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of SKETCH

1694

Related to SKETCH

Synonyms: define, delineate, silhouette, outline, trace

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

SKETCH[1] Defined for Kids

¹sketch

noun \ˈskech\

Definition of SKETCH for Kids

: a rough outline or drawing showing the main features of something

: a short written work (as a story or essay)

: a short comic performance

²sketch

verb

sketchedsketch·ing

Definition of SKETCH for Kids

: to make a drawing, rough draft, or outline of

: to describe or outline (something) briefly <Should the scheme he had now sketched prove feasible, Silver … would not hesitate to adopt it. — Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island>