Language Research

sketch · noun C

/sketʃ/Full view

sketch (PICTURE)

C1 a picture that you draw quickly and with few details

Dictionary example:

He did a quick sketch of the cat.

Learner example:

Picasso would start with a lot of preliminary sketches and then go on to paint his final picture where the main figures - a woman and a horse - are screaming in despair. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

sketch (ACTING)

C1 a short piece of acting about a funny situation

Dictionary example:

They wrote most of their sketches themselves.

Learner example:

It's a partly live show, but it also contains earlier recorded "sketches," often with funny stunts. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Norwegian)

sketch (DESCRIPTION)

C2 a short description of something without many details

Dictionary example:

He gave us a quick sketch of the situation.

Learner example:

Having seen the call for new subject proposals I'm sending you a preliminary sketch of two new courses. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Czech)

sketch · verb T

/sketʃ/

sketch sth out

C2 to give a short description with few details, especially of an idea or plan

Dictionary example:

I've sketched out some ideas for my new book.

Learner example:

The way I would bring up my own children, right now I'm not too sure if I'm ever going to have one or even more, wouldn't differ a great deal from the way I sketched out at the beginning. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)