1
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)
2
: a brief description (as of a person) or outline
3
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
sketched; sketching; sketches
: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of
: to draw or paint a sketch
sketcher
noun
Synonyms
Examples of sketch in a Sentence
Noun
He made a sketch of his house.
He wrote up a sketch of the plot.
There is a biographical sketch of the author on the book's back cover.
Verb
He sketched the trees outside his window.
He likes to sit outside and sketch.
She sketched the plan for us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
Their bold suit looks could close deals in the boardroom, but Jonathan Cohen took the idea of power-dressing to the ring, previewing a sketch of two floral clad boxers.
—Ari Stark, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025
Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
Suppose that the permanent ceasefire stage sketched out in today's deal is also reached within a few weeks, and Israel stops leveling buildings in Gaza, bombing medical facilities, and blocking international food and medical aid.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sketch 
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Noun
Odenkirk was a writer on the satirical sketch series.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
Their bold suit looks could close deals in the boardroom, but Jonathan Cohen took the idea of power-dressing to the ring, previewing a sketch of two floral clad boxers.
—Ari Stark, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
Beneath Sforza Castle in Milan, researchers have discovered a series of secret tunnels—passageways once sketched by the Renaissance artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci and traversed by a widower sick with grief.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
Suppose that the permanent ceasefire stage sketched out in today's deal is also reached within a few weeks, and Israel stops leveling buildings in Gaza, bombing medical facilities, and blocking international food and medical aid.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sketch
Articles Related to sketch
Dictionary Entries Near sketch
Cite this Entry
“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sketch. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sketch
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene
b
: a rough draft (as of a story)
2
: a brief description or outline
3
: a short comedy piece
sketch
2 of 2 verb1
: to make a sketch, rough draft, or outline of
2
: to draw or paint a sketch
sketcher
noun
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