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
Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
In a new interview with Variety, Hernández, 26, opened up about finding success on SNL in the two recent seasons of the famed sketch comedy show.
—Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024
PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024
That’s not the vision that the state PUC, the primary regulator of PG&E, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and other utilities, sketched out in a report to the governor and the California Legislature.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sketch 
Noun
Mitzi McCall, the delightful actress and sitcom writer who partnered with her husband, Charlie Brill, in a sketch comedy act that famously floundered between sets by The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
In a new interview with Variety, Hernández, 26, opened up about finding success on SNL in the two recent seasons of the famed sketch comedy show.
—Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024
Verb
The delicious responsiveness of Affinity Designer 2 on both the iPad and desktop with a stylus makes painting and sketching a delight.
—PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024
That’s not the vision that the state PUC, the primary regulator of PG&E, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and other utilities, sketched out in a report to the governor and the California Legislature.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sketch
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sketch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sketch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sketch. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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