1. to describe the main facts or points of something
概述，描述要點
The manager outlined the company's new strategy at the meeting.
經理在會議上概述了公司的新策略。
She outlined her plan for the project in a brief email.
她在一封簡短的電子郵件中概述了她的專案計畫。
Outline Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
outline
verb
快速理解
What does "Outline" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Outline"?
「outline」作為動詞，主要表示勾勒輪廓、概述要點或規劃大綱。
- 1
描繪輪廓
EN: to draw or trace the outer edge or shape of something
翻譯: 描繪或勾勒出某物的外部邊緣或形狀。
- 2
概述要點
EN: to give a summary of the main points or facts
翻譯: 總結主要觀點或事實。
- 3
規劃大綱
EN: to plan or describe something in a general way, without details
翻譯: 以概括的方式規劃或描述某事，不涉及細節。
小提醒：注意「outline」作動詞時，常接報告、計畫、論點等抽象概念作為受詞，表示「概述其內容」，而非僅指畫出實體線條。
發音（How to Pronounce "Outline" in English）
How to pronounce "Outline" in English?"Outline" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Outline" from YouTube Videos
Paul Romer: The world's first charter city?
TED
“This is a picture of Denver, and the outline is the new airport that was built in Denver.”
(1 out of 3)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Outline"?How does "Outline" change by context?
2. to draw or show the outer edge or shape of something
勾勒出…的輪廓
The mountains were outlined against the evening sky.
山脈在傍晚的天空映襯下顯現出輪廓。
He outlined the figure with a pencil before painting.
他在上色前先用鉛筆勾勒出人物的輪廓。
3. to plan or explain something in a general way
規劃，草擬
The report outlines the steps needed to improve safety.
這份報告規劃了改善安全所需的步驟。
We need to outline the budget before proceeding.
我們需要先草擬預算才能繼續進行。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Outline"?How to make natural sentences with "Outline"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| outline + noun | 概述、描繪…的輪廓 | The manager outlined the new project plan. (經理概述了新的專案計畫。) |
| outline + that + clause | 概述、說明… | The report outlines that significant changes are needed. (報告概述了需要進行重大改變。) |
| outline + wh- clause (what, how, why, etc.) | 概述、說明… | He outlined how the system would work. (他概述了系統將如何運作。) |
| be outlined + (by someone) | 被概述、被描繪出輪廓 | The procedure was clearly outlined in the manual. (程序在手冊中被清楚地概述了。) |
| outline + noun + for + someone | 為某人概述… | She outlined the schedule for the team. (她為團隊概述了時間表。) |
用法說明
How is "Outline" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Outline"?
outline doing vs outline to do
- outline doing 通常用於描述「概述、勾勒出」一個持續進行的過程、一項活動或一個整體概念。
- outline to do 則較為少見，通常出現在「為了（某個目的）而概述」或「概述（某人）去做某事」的語境中，有時帶有未來或意圖的意味。
- 在大多數情況下，outline doing 是更自然、更常見的用法，用於說明文件、計畫或想法的主要內容。
- 當句子主語是「計畫」或「文件」，且後面接動作時，使用 outline to do 可能會顯得生硬，通常用 outline doing 或改寫句子結構更佳。 EN: The report outlines implementing the new policy in three phases. 翻譯: 這份報告概述了分三個階段實施新政策。
EN:He outlined the steps to complete the project before the deadline.
翻譯:他概述了在截止日期前完成專案的步驟。
總結建議
在表達「概述某項行動或內容」時，使用 "outline doing" 或 "outline how/what/why..." 的結構通常比 "outline to do" 更為自然和常見。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Outline" and similar words?How to choose "Outline" vs alternatives?
outline vs summarize
「outline」強調列出要點或架構，而「summarize」側重於濃縮內容、呈現精華。
outline vs describe
「outline」提供要點或框架，「describe」則進行詳細的敘述或描繪。
outline vs sketch
「outline」多用於抽象計畫或想法架構，「sketch」則常用於具體的圖像草圖或粗略描繪。
口語用法
How is "Outline" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Outline"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或預告接下來要說的話。 EN: So, to outline my main points: cost, timing, and feasibility. 翻譯: 所以，我來概述一下我的主要觀點：成本、時間和可行性。
EN:Let me just outline what happened next.
翻譯:讓我簡單說一下接下來發生了什麼。
語氣強調
用於強調只是提供大綱或概略，而非詳細說明。 EN: I can only outline the plan for now; details will come later. 翻譯: 我現在只能先概述一下計畫，細節稍後再補上。
EN:Don't expect a full report—I'll just outline the idea.
翻譯:別期待一份完整報告——我只是把想法大概說一下。
停頓填充
作為思考時的過渡用語，引出後續解釋。 EN: Well, if I could outline the process... it's actually quite simple. 翻譯: 嗯，如果讓我概述一下流程…其實相當簡單。
EN:So, to outline the situation... we're facing a few challenges.
翻譯:那麼，概述一下情況…我們正面臨一些挑戰。
正式寫作注意：在正式書面語中（如學術論文、商業報告），應避免使用「Let me outline...」或「So, to outline...」這類口語化的引導句。建議直接使用更簡潔、正式的表述，例如「The following section outlines...」或「An outline of the process is provided below。」。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Outline"?What fixed phrases with "Outline" should I remember?
outline a plan
outline + [noun]
概述一個計劃
outline a proposal
outline + [noun]
概述一項提案
outline the reasons
outline + [determiner] + reasons
概述原因
outline the steps
outline + [determiner] + steps
概述步驟
outline briefly
outline + [adverb]
簡要概述
outline an argument
outline + [determiner] + argument
概述論點
outline the structure
outline + [determiner] + structure
概述結構
outline the benefits
outline + [determiner] + benefits
概述好處
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Outline"?Which "Outline" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He outlined about the plan.
✓He outlined the plan.
「outline」是及物動詞，後面直接接受詞，不需要介系詞「about」。
×Can you outline me the main points?
✓Can you outline the main points for me?
「outline」不接雙賓語（如 give me the points）。若要表達對象，需使用介系詞「for」或「to」。
×The document is outlining the safety procedures.
✓The document outlines the safety procedures.
描述文件、報告、圖表等靜態事物「包含」或「顯示」概要時，通常使用簡單式，而非進行式。進行式多用於描述正在進行的口頭或書面概述行為。
×I will outline you what happened.
✓I will outline what happened.
「outline」後接名詞片語或名詞子句（如 what happened）作為受詞，不直接接人稱代名詞再加子句。
×Please make an outline of your ideas.
✓Please outline your ideas.
此處的錯誤是混淆了動詞「outline」與名詞片語「make an outline of」。雖然兩者意思相近，但動詞「outline」更為簡潔直接，是更常見的用法。原句文法正確但非最佳選擇。
×The teacher asked us to outline the book.
✓The teacher asked us to outline the main points of the book.
「outline」的對象通常是重點、要點、計畫、結構等抽象概念，而非一本書、一個人或一個物體等具體實物本身。需要具體說明概述的是該實物的哪個方面。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Outline"?What are tense/participle forms of "Outline"?
outlines(3rd_singular)outlining(present_participle)outlined(past)outlined(past_participle)