contour

noun con·tour \ ˈkän-ˌtu̇r \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition of contour

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

See contour defined for English-language learners

See contour defined for kids

Examples of contour in a Sentence

He loved the sleek contours of the car.
The map showed the contour of the coastline.

Recent Examples of contour from the Web

The Romeo module beams a laser at a person's face to identify facial features, contours, and more.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Apple iPhone X Has a Romeo and Juliet Problem," 27 Sep. 2017
Coalition Contours As the contours of coalition bargaining took shape, Bavarian Premier Horst Seehofer softened his demand for a cap on migration, a flashpoint between him and Merkel, who heads the Christian Democratic Union.

— arne delfs, Bloomberg.com, "Schaeuble’s Finance Post Is Put in Play as Merkel Weighs Coalitions," 26 Sep. 2017
The director, David Gordon Green, a cinematic polymath whose credits run from tight, serious indie dramas all the way to anarchic comedies like Pineapple Express, senses that the basic contours of the film lean toward cliché.

— kyle smith, National Review, "Jake Gyllenhaal’s Clear-Eyed Look at Terrorism and Its Toll," 20 Sep. 2017
From top to bottom, your cheeks should read: highlighter, blush, contour.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "How to Contour Your Face Like Kylie Jenner Even If You've Never Contoured in Your Life," 20 Dec. 2016
In theory, contour seems like the dreamweaver of beauty techniques.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "This Easy Contouring Trick Will Make Your Life So Much Easier," 5 Oct. 2017
The look went from using highlights and contour to a modern take on the matte face.

— diana tsui, The Cut, "Burberry’s Makeup Look Will Take You Less Than Five Minutes," 17 Sep. 2017
Immediately after the dinner, there was confusion about the contours of the plan.

— margaret talev, Bloomberg.com, "Trump and Democrats Near Another Deal, This Time on ‘Dreamers’," 14 Sep. 2017
Start in the crease to establish a contour and then build on that.

— eden univer, Harper's BAZAAR, "The BAZAAR Commandments: Get a Flawless Face," 8 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contour.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contour

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 ¹turn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1662

See Words from the same year

contour Synonyms

Synonyms

outline, figure, silhouette

Related Words

delineation, sketch; profile, skyline; cast, configuration, conformation, form, geometry, shape; framework, skeleton

Synonym Discussion of 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

contour

adjective

Definition of contour

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

First Known Use of contour

1844

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

contour

verb

Definition of contour

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

Recent Examples of contour from the Web

Furthermore, there are crucial questions regarding the economic and fiscal impact of this plan, which underscores the potential influence the CBO and outside interests could have in contouring the debate.

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Trump wants a tax plan in a hurry," 23 Oct. 2017
Use the side of your palette to get your contour super straight Instead of using shoes and knives and every other ridiculous thing, just use your contouring palette as a straight-edge.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "5 Life-Changing Contouring Hacks That Will Make You Look *Flawless*," 20 Oct. 2017
Click to watch Schiffer remember the makeup artist who used to spend 20 minutes just contouring her face and to hear Eldridge’s tips about why the lower lashline is key to creating this sparkly and smokey ’60s-inspired look.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "Watch Lisa Eldridge Transform Claudia Schiffer," 12 Oct. 2017
The Match Stix, which come in 20 matte shades and 10 shimmers, provide endless options for concealing, contouring, highlighting and eyeshadow.

— cara kelly, USA TODAY, "An honest review of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty makeup line," 25 Sep. 2017
Hurricanes always reshape lives and landscape, ripping apart and contouring our tree canopies and urban forestry.

— doreen christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Christensen: A tale of two trees in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma | Commentary," 16 Sep. 2017
In the past, Kim Kardashian faced backlash for everything from her contouring kit to a sneak peek of Kanye West's Yeezy Powerphase sneakers.

— alyssa hardy, Teen Vogue, "Kim Kardashian Accused of Knocking Off Rihanna's FentyxPuma Furry Sandals," 15 Sep. 2017
Chrissy Teigen once needed her whole team to zip up her jumpsuit, Kim Kardashian has had her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic contour her nether regions, and just last week, Ashley Graham had a man polish the backside of her dress.

— jillian ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Cardi B Had That Thing Where Your Dress Is So Huge, You Have to Travel in a Car Trunk (PHOTOS)," 15 Sep. 2017
In addition to the highly inclusive range of foundation shades, Fenty Beauty will debut matte and shimmer Match Stix—for contouring, concealing, and highlighting—and Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter compacts for that Rihanna-on-the-red-carpet glow.

— nora maloney, vanityfair.com, "A Look at Rihanna’s Long-Awaited Beauty Line, Fenty Beauty," 7 Sep. 2017