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
Dennis Romero, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Roan marked her debut on the NBC sketch comedy series alongside six-time host and comedian John Mulaney in an episode ahead of Election Day Nov. 5.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
Rhonda Richford, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024
Stop sketching complex strategic formulas into the sand, Andy.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sketch 
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Noun
While sketch comedy show frequently takes aim at Trump — played since 2016 by Alec Baldwin and James Austin Johnson — Saturday's episode spoofed the actors paying fealty to the new commander in chief.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Roan marked her debut on the NBC sketch comedy series alongside six-time host and comedian John Mulaney in an episode ahead of Election Day Nov. 5.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
Rich displays of historical posters and catalogues, whose covers were sketched by artists, showcase the development of advertising as an art form and were unearthed from private collections.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024
Stop sketching complex strategic formulas into the sand, Andy.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
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 28 Nov. 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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