to trace the shape or outline of; sketch to represent pictorially, as by making a chart or diagram; depict to portray in words, esp with detail and precision; describe
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
de•lin•e•ate /dɪˈlɪniˌeɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [ ~ + obj], -at•ed, -at•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to trace the outline of.
- to portray or describe in words:He delineated a few of his proposals for the budget.
de•lin•e•ate
(di lin′ē āt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -at•ed, -at•ing.
de•lin•e•a•ble
(di lin′ē ə bəl),USA pronunciation adj.
- to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline;
represent pictorially:He delineated the state of Texas on the map with a red pencil. - to portray in words;
describe or outline with precision:In her speech she delineated the city plan with great care.
- Latin dēlīneātus, equivalent. to dē- de- + līneātus lineate
- 1550–60
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'delineated' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):