contour

1 of 3

noun

con·​tour ˈkän-ˌtu̇r 

1

: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure : shape

the sleek contours of the car

The map shows the contour of the coastline.

also : the line representing this outline

2

: the general form or structure of something : characteristic

—often used in plural

the contours of a melody

… the contours of political and social theories.

—James G. Paradis

3

: a usually meaningful change in intonation in speech

contour

2 of 3

adjective

1

: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them

contour flooding

contour farming

2

: made to fit the contour of something

a contour couch

contour sheets

contour

3 of 3

verb

contoured; contouring; contours

transitive verb

1

a

: to shape the contour of

b

: to shape so as to fit contours

2

: to construct (something, such as a road) in conformity to a contour

Synonyms

Noun

• figure
• outline
• silhouette

Choose the Right Synonym for contour

outline, contour, profile, silhouette mean the line that bounds and gives form to something.

outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

Examples of contour in a Sentence

Noun

He loved the sleek contours of the car.

The map showed the contour of the coastline.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Yet no political system can erase the contours of the earth itself, and the wild geography of my hometown shaped me as much as Soviet conformity. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

Memory of a Broken Dimension uses glitch textures laid on top of pitch-black spaces as a way to light the contours of the world’s abstract shapes. —Yussef Cole, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Adjective

This contour stick is also at a friendlier price point, comes in eight shades, is super blendable, and takes the guesswork out of picking a natural-looking highlighter that vibes with your sculpting. —Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Jan. 2025

On the other hand, memory foam neck pillows are durable and contour to fit your anatomy — not the other way around. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2025

Verb

Like contouring, color correcting seemed far too complex for my everyday routine. —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 10 Jan. 2025

Done in rich indigo stretch denim, Le Crop Mini Boot contours your curves and won’t bag out with wear. —Flaviar, refinery29.com, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian contorno, from contornare to round off, from Medieval Latin, to turn around, from Latin com- + tornare to turn on a lathe — more at turn entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing contour

• contour feather
• contour line
• contour map

Kids Definition

contour

1 of 3 noun

con·​tour ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r 

1

: the outline of a figure, body, or surface

2

: a line or drawing showing an outline

contour

2 of 3 adjective

1

: following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them

contour farming

contour flooding

2

: made to fit the contour of something

contour bedsheets

contour

3 of 3 verb

1

: to shape the contour of

2

: to shape to fit contours

Medical Definition

contour

1 of 2 noun

con·​tour ˈkän-ˌtu̇(ə)r 

: an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure

also : the line representing this outline

contour

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to shape the contour of

contour a gingiva in gingivoplasty