contour

noun

An outline, boundary or border, usually of curved shape.

A line on a map or chart delineating those points which have the same altitude or other plotted quantity: a contour line or isopleth; (metonymically) the landform or its surface.

(figurative) A general description giving the most important points.

(linguistics) a speech sound which behaves as a single segment, but which makes an internal transition from one quality, place, or manner to another.

verb

(transitive) To form a more or less curved boundary or border upon.

(transitive) To mark with contour lines.

(intransitive) To practise the makeup technique of contouring.

(figurative) To shape conditions regarding salient points.

Roots

tornus-tour · Latin · turn, lathe

Synonyms for contour

silhouetten outlinen configurationn delineatev lineationn delineationn

Synonyms & related words for contour

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of contour — including silhouette, outline, configuration, delineate, lineation, delineation. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to contour

Explore words related to contour — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include shape, formfitting, isopleth, curves, isoline, curvilinear, trisector, thalweg. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for contour

Common synonyms for contour include silhouette, outline, configuration, delineate, lineation, delineation — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does contour come from?

The word contour breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root -tour, from Latin tornus (“turn, lathe”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.