Silhouette
sil-oo-ET
/ˌsɪluˈɛt/
The overall shape, outline, or structural contour of a garment or human body.
Focuses purely on two-dimensional outer outline and structural proportion, ignoring surface decoration or color.
The story behind the word. Étienne de Silhouette was a notorious 18th-century French finance minister who imposed severe austerity cuts on nobility during a budget crisis. To mock his extreme cheapness, Parisians began referring to cheap cut-paper black shadow portraits—the cheapest way to get a likeness before photography—as 'à la Silhouette'. The term stuck as the official name for shadow outlines.
Word relationships
- outline: Outline is generic; silhouette emphasizes dramatic structural shape created by lighting or clothing cuts.
- contour: Contour emphasizes curves and three-dimensional form, while silhouette emphasizes the boundary profile.
Commonly confused with
- Pattern: Pattern refers to surface graphics or tailoring templates, whereas silhouette refers to the outer shape created when worn.
Word family
- silhouetted (adjective): Outlined against a lighter background.
Collocations
- sleek silhouette
- dramatic silhouette
- hourglass silhouette
- oversized silhouette
Example sentences
- "Christian Dior's 1947 'New Look' introduced an hour-glass silhouette defined by cinched waists and voluminous skirts." Fashion History
- "The runner stood atop the ridge at sunset, her dark silhouette sharply framed against the orange sky." Visual Arts
Memory hook
SILHOUETTE: A Shadow Outline of a person or dress. The striking outline against the light.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to fine surface details, texture, or intricate embroidery pattern.
Fun facts
- Before photography was invented, paper silhouette cutting was the most popular and affordable way for middle-class people to preserve loved ones' portraits.
Related words
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