Outline
Outline noun - A line that traces the outer limits of an object or surface.
Usage example: place your hand on the paper and draw an outline around it
Shape is a synonym for outline in appearance topic. In some cases you can use "Shape" instead the word "Outline" as a noun or a verb, when it comes to topics like form, art, silhouette. popular alternative
Shape
Shape noun - The outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance.
Usage example: that part of the state is known as the panhandle because of its shape
Outline is a synonym for shape in form topic. You can use "Outline" instead the word "Shape" as a noun or a verb, if it concerns topics such as appearance, art, contours. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| human | human outline | human shape |
| good | good outline | good shape |
| long | long outline | long shape |
| similar | similar outline | similar shape |
| Other adjectives: perfect, original, rough, real, big, black, dark, unique, vague, general, former, basic, giant, humanoid. | ||
Common collocations
| body | outline body | shape body |
| plot | outline plot | shape plot |
| development | outline development | shape development |
| politics | outline politics | shape politics |
| Other words: philosophy. | ||
Both words in one sentence
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Knife Outline: One trap triggers a volley of arrows that form the shape of a pegasus pony on the opposite wall.
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They start out with the same oblong shape as those used by other Agents, but once he goes rogue, they take on a polygonal shape that approximates the outline of Neo's shades to contrast their growth.
Source: Franchise / The Matrix -
The same episode also has Spongebob's outline subtly but glaringly losing its wavy shape for a second when he starts saying "in some sort of fiery explosion".
Source: Off Model / Western Animation
Cite this Source
Shape and Outline. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/outline/shape
Outline & Shape. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/outline/shape>.
Shape or Outline. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/outline/shape.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "outline" and "shape" have occurred on timeline