silhouette
noun
sil·hou·ette
| \ ˌsi-lə-ˈwet
\
\
Definition of silhouette
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a likeness cut from dark material and mounted on a light ground or one sketched in outline and solidly colored in
2
: the outline of a body viewed as circumscribing a mass
the silhouette of a bird
silhouette
verb
silhouetted;
silhouetting
Definition of silhouette (Entry 2 of 2)
: to represent by a silhouette
also
: to project on a background like a silhouette
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Other Words from silhouette
Verb
silhouettist
\ ˌsi-lə-ˈwe-tist
\
noun
\
noun
Synonyms for silhouette
Synonyms: Noun
Synonyms: Verb
define, delineate, outline, sketch, trace
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Examples of silhouette in a Sentence
Noun
the silhouettes of buildings against the sky The buildings appeared in silhouette against the sky. My piano teacher has a framed silhouette of Mozart on her wall. a portrait of my mother done in silhouette He admired the sports car's sleek silhouette.Verb
in the photograph the majestic mountain is strikingly silhouetted against the setting sun
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The embracing silhouette of the winged headboard and plush blue-green velvet upholstery lend an air of luxury. — Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Lush fabrics lend sophisticated serenity to this master bedroom," 23 Aug. 2019 Art world people are obsessed with a monochromatic palette and a stark silhouette, presumably because they’ve been exposed to so much Richard Serra. — Robyn Merrett, PEOPLE.com, "Kristin Davis Talks Her Turtleneck Look on SATC: 'I Was Trying to Pretend I Was on Law & Order'," 20 Aug. 2019 These tweedy items can be found in sheath silhouettes, fit-and-flare styles or loose shifts — find the shape that works for you. — Sharon Graubard, courant.com, "Fashion report: Cool classics for fall," 15 Aug. 2019 The Block Boot is the closest iteration to the classic Ugg silhouette (except for the aforementioned box toe). — Teen Vogue, "Eckhaus Latta and Ugg Released the Campaign for Their Autumn Winter 2019 Collaboration," 7 Aug. 2019 This season also sees a fun play on proportion, versatile wrap silhouettes, traditional sun dress shapes and down to earth boho looks. — Melissa Magsaysay, chicagotribune.com, "The best summer dresses — all under $100," 29 July 2019 Kuschel’s preference for timeless silhouettes, shapes and pieces over quickie trends is all a part of the sustainability equation. — Tony Bravo, SFChronicle.com, "Amy Kuschel closes custom bridal, turns to sustainable women’s fashion," 19 July 2019 High above the valley floor, where the notorious smog turns the surrounding hills into hazy silhouettes, the old-model compacts are popularly used as informal taxis for a place that lacks public transportation. — Washington Post, "As Beetle ends, iconic original thrives in Mexico City hills," 11 July 2019 High above the valley floor, where the notorious smog turns the surrounding hills into hazy silhouettes, the old-model compacts are popularly used as informal taxis for a place that lacks public transportation. — Michael Krumholtz, Twin Cities, "As Beetle ends, iconic original thrives in Mexico City hills," 10 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The Baltimore painter slyly frames open sky with small aspects of the scene, whether the notch in a rock shoreline or silhouetted wires and cables. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, "In the galleries: Dickson Carroll puts fun and folly in form and function," 21 June 2019 The mountains rose sharp and blue, silhouetted above what looked like a heavy, dense gray fog. — Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, "As Alaska burns, acts of caring — for yourself, and for others — might save your sanity," 11 July 2019 Many telescopes, in space and on the ground, are staring at the heavens in search of exoplanets silhouetted against the bright faces of their stars. — Simon J. Lock, Scientific American, "When Earth and the Moon Were One," 2 July 2019 Prosek’s silhouetted wall murals are inspired by Old Lyme naturalist Roger Tory Peterson, who wrote field guides to identify animals. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "Insects swarm over Flo-Gris as part of ’Fragile Earth’ exhibit," 6 June 2019 On it, Smith appears as a sort of New Wave Baudelaire, silhouetted and alone save for his guitar. — Vogue, "“Friday I’m in Love”—A Valentine to Robert Smith as the Cure Is Inducted Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," 29 Mar. 2019 Never has a shed looked more romantic, with a roaring fire which perfectly silhouettes the two lovers. — Outlander Fan, Marie Claire, "5 Biggest Takeaways From 'Outlander' Season 4 Episode 8," 24 Dec. 2018 Léa, barefoot and dressed in a long dress, reaches up with one hand to pick a cluster of roses, her profile silhouetted against turbulent white clouds. — Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, "Painter Elizabeth Colomba Is Giving Art’s Hidden Figures Their Close-Up," 10 Oct. 2018 Also $17 each are the lip glosses, which, like the lipsticks, are topped with a cap covered in gold Mickey Mouse silhouettes. — Marci Robin, Allure, "Dose of Colors' Brand-New Mickey Mouse Makeup Collection Is Already Selling Out," 13 Nov. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'silhouette.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for silhouette
silhouette
noun
English Language Learners Definition of silhouette
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a dark shape in front of a light background
: a picture of something showing it as a dark shape on a light background
especially
: such a picture showing a person's face from the side
: the shape or outline of something
silhouette