Silhouette

/sɪluˈɛt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background.

The silhouette of the mountain was striking against the sunset.

A representation of something in which only the outline is shown, often filled with a solid color.

The artist created a beautiful silhouette of a tree standing alone on the hill.

The general shape or outline of an object, without detailed features.

Her dress emphasized the silhouette of her figure beautifully.

verb

To project or show as a silhouette.

The flames silhouetted the firefighters as they battled the blaze.

From the French word 'silhouette', named after Étienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister known for cheap portraiture.

silhouette effect

The visual impact created by the dark outline against a bright background.

silhouette portrait

A portrait consisting of only the outline and profile of a person's head.

silhouette challenge

A popular social media trend involving showing a person's silhouette against a red backdrop.

outline

A line marking the outer boundaries of an object.

shadow

A dark area or shape caused by a body blocking rays of light.

profile

The outline or contours of a face.

A way of referring to someone’s physical appearance as just an outline.

He's got that classic silhouette that you see in models.

Used to describe someone who has a very slim figure.

She’s got a silhouette like a runway model.