La pièce présente une silhouette comique plutôt qu'un personnage complet.
The play presents a comic sketch rather than a complete character.
Elle a découpé une silhouette dans du papier noir.
She cut a silhouette out of black paper.
Cette veste donne une silhouette plus structurée.
This jacket gives a more structured silhouette.
Le costume crée une silhouette nette aux épaules.
The suit creates a clean line at the shoulders.
La production cherche des silhouettes capables de dire quelques mots.
The production is looking for featured extras able to say a few words.
Similar words
figuration
profil
ligne
croquis
petit rôle
contour
portrait
apparence
contour
portrait
Meanings
Outline or dark shape
noun
visual
neutral
The visible contour of a person, object, or landscape, often a dark form standing out against light or mist.
Examples
La silhouette de la montagne se découpait sur le ciel pâle.
The silhouette of the mountain stood out against the pale sky.
On voyait une silhouette immobile au bout du quai.
A motionless figure could be seen at the end of the platform.
La lampe projetait sa silhouette sur le mur blanc.
The lamp cast his silhouette on the white wall.
Dans le brouillard, la silhouette du clocher restait vague.
In the fog, the outline of the bell tower remained vague.
Le photographe a saisi la silhouette du couple au coucher du soleil.
The photographer caught the couple’s silhouette at sunset.
Les arbres formaient des silhouettes sombres devant la fenêtre.
The trees formed dark silhouettes in front of the window.
Similar words
contour
profil
forme
ombre
ligne
figure
Stylized profile or cut-out
noun
art
neutral
A simple profile drawing, paper cut-out, or flat graphic figure that represents its subject mainly by contour.
Examples
Elle a découpé une silhouette dans du papier noir.
She cut a silhouette out of black paper.
Le musée expose des silhouettes du XVIIIe siècle.
The museum exhibits 18th-century silhouettes.
Le dessinateur commence par une silhouette simple avant les détails.
The artist begins with a simple outline before the details.
Une silhouette blanche ressortait sur le fond sombre de l'affiche.
A white silhouette stood out against the dark background of the poster.
Les enfants ont tracé des silhouettes à partir de leurs ombres.
The children traced silhouettes from their shadows.
Ce logo utilise la silhouette d'un oiseau en plein vol.
This logo uses the silhouette of a bird in flight.
Similar words
profil
portrait
découpage
contour
dessin
croquis
Overall line or build
noun
fashion
neutral
The general shape, build, or line of a body, garment, vehicle, or designed object as it appears from the outside.
Examples
Cette veste donne une silhouette plus structurée.
This jacket gives a more structured silhouette.
La robe fluide allonge la silhouette sans serrer la taille.
The flowing dress lengthens the body line without tightening the waist.
Le styliste cherche une silhouette souple pour la collection.
The designer wants a soft silhouette for the collection.
La voiture garde une silhouette basse et sportive.
The car keeps a low, sporty profile.
Après l'essayage, la silhouette du manteau paraît trop massive.
After the fitting, the coat’s shape looks too bulky.
Le costume crée une silhouette nette aux épaules.
The suit creates a clean line at the shoulders.
Similar words
ligne
allure
forme
profil
morphologie
apparence
Brief sketch of a person
noun
literature
neutral
A quick written or spoken portrait that gives only the main traits of a person, character, or social type.
Examples
Le journaliste brosse une silhouette vive du ministre.
The journalist sketches a lively thumbnail portrait of the minister.
Le roman esquisse la silhouette d'une femme solitaire.
The novel outlines the figure of a lonely woman.
En deux pages, l'auteur trace la silhouette morale du héros.
In two pages, the author draws the hero’s moral profile.
Cette chronique offre quelques silhouettes de la vie parisienne.
This column offers a few sketches of Parisian life.
La pièce présente une silhouette comique plutôt qu'un personnage complet.
The play presents a comic sketch rather than a complete character.
Son discours dessine la silhouette d'un chef prudent.
His speech draws the profile of a cautious leader.
Similar words
portrait
esquisse
profil
croquis
aperçu
Small stage or screen role
noun
film
technical
A minor film, television, or theatre role that is visible and sometimes has a few words, but remains below a supporting part.
Examples
Elle a obtenu une silhouette dans un téléfilm historique.
She got a bit part in a historical TV film.
La production cherche des silhouettes capables de dire quelques mots.
The production is looking for featured extras able to say a few words.
Ce n'est pas un rôle principal, seulement une silhouette parlante.
It is not a lead role, only a speaking bit part.
Le comédien apparaît en silhouette pendant la scène du marché.
The actor appears in a small role during the market scene.
Sur le plateau, les silhouettes attendent leur passage.
On set, the featured extras wait for their entrance.
Son contrat précise une silhouette avec une courte réplique.
His contract specifies a small role with a short line.
Similar words
petit rôle
figuration
figurant
apparition
rôle secondaire
Etymology
From the name of Étienne de Silhouette, an 18th-century French finance minister. French use first attached his name to cheap or summary profile portraits and later widened to outlines, shapes, and sketch-like figures.
FAQ
What does silhouette mean in French?
Silhouette usually means an outline or dark shape seen against a lighter background, and it can also mean a body line, a stylized profile, a brief sketch, or a small role.
How is silhouette pronounced?
Silhouette is commonly pronounced /si.lwɛt/ in French.
Is silhouette feminine?
Yes. Silhouette is feminine, so adjectives agree as in une silhouette élégante and des silhouettes sombres.
Can silhouette mean body shape?
Yes. In fashion and design, silhouette can mean the overall line of a body, garment, vehicle, or object.
Does silhouette mean a drawing?
Yes. Silhouette can name a profile drawing, a paper cut-out, or a flat stylized figure with little interior detail.
What is a silhouette in cinema?
In French film and theatre vocabulary, a silhouette is a small visible role, often more distinct than simple background work.
What is the plural of silhouette?
The regular plural is silhouettes.
What mistake is common in silhouette?
The common spelling error is silouette, missing the h after l.
What English words translate silhouette?
Depending on context, silhouette can translate as silhouette, outline, profile, shape, figure, or bit part.
Where does silhouette come from?
Silhouette comes from the name of Étienne de Silhouette, whose name became linked with cheap profile portraits and summary forms.
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