verb

esquisser

sketch

Dessiner les premières lignes d'une image ou présenter brièvement le début d'une idée sans entrer dans les détails.

Definition & meaning

Esquisser means to sketch or to outline something roughly, without completing all its details.

  • In art, it means to make a preliminary sketch of a picture or design.
  • Figuratively, it means to outline an idea, plan, or argument.
  • It can also mean to make a slight or initial gesture, such as a smile or a movement.

Grammar & Word origin

Esquisser is a regular -er verb. It usually takes a direct object.

It comes from esquisse , meaning “sketch” or “outline,” which ultimately derives from Italian.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • dessiner — “to draw”; broader than esquisser and does not necessarily imply a rough or preliminary version.
  • ébaucher — “to draft” or “begin”; emphasizes the early stage of a work or project.
  • tracer — “to trace” or “draw”; emphasizes making lines or marking out a shape.

Antonyms

  • achever — “to finish”; contrasts with merely beginning or sketching something.
  • détailler — “to describe in detail”; contrasts with giving a rough outline.

Common phrases & collocations

  • esquisser un sourire — to give a faint smile.
  • esquisser un geste — to make or begin a slight gesture.
  • esquisser un projet — to outline a project.
  • esquisser un portrait — to sketch a portrait, literally or figuratively.

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Examples

Pour le cours de dessin, Marie veut esquisser un animal.verb

For the drawing class, Marie wants to sketch an animal.

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