contour

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "contour" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb or noun. For example: "The contour of the mountain was quite dramatic in the moonlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He accuses politicians and local administrators of "regularising environmental violations by builders", and of stalling the release of a contour map that would demarcate high-tide zones where construction would be hazardous.

The Guardian

To explain why he chose this style, Kerpedjiev writes in a blogpost: A map containing contour lines corresponding to the locations which can be reached in a particular amount of time provides a clear and concise comparison between the travel times to various locations as well as a concrete reference to the absolute time required to reach a particular point.

The Guardian

Many of the pieces took inspiration from a particular coastal contour that Hepworth explored in walks from St Ives.

The Guardian - Arts

There is an engaging cross-cultural reciprocity to the influence of the familiar on imagery of the novel: Australian and British art galleries are filled with early European paintings that lend the antipodean marsupial a strong vulpine, canine or bovine resemblance and the Indigenous (especially female) human form an idealised European softness and contour.

The Guardian

Burley Griffin posted his winning design for Canberra from Chicago, using the Australian government's handy application kit (consisting of a set of panoramic oil paintings of the site, a fact sheet on its climate and geology, 12 pages of instructions and two contour maps on which to sketch a proposal).

The Economist

It might even yield more clues about exactly what happened to the stricken aircraft after radio contact was lost shortly after take-off.A lot depends on the contour mapping.

The Economist

And hidden beneath the surface lies a lattice of pipelines that pump the oil and gas ashore (see map above).Today, all of that activity peters out along a line where the underwater contour sinks to below 1,500 feet.

The Economist

The instruments on CONTOUR, and other missions, will analyse dust for carbon-based molecules, and should thus be able to provide an answer.There may, however, be a more prosaic reason for the sudden interest in comets: most other bodies in the solar system have been explored already.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In many ways, the problems then were not all that different from those confronting driverless cars today.In fact, the radio altimeters aboard a contour-hugging missile are close relatives of the adaptive cruise-control (ACC) system used to relieve motorists of having to brake and accelerate to maintain a constant distance behind a car in front.

The Economist

Since Davies's theory posits at base a contour-recognition experience while Levinson's posits an imaginative experience of expression, the link between literal expression and musical expressivity looks closer in Levinson's theory than in Davies's.

SEP

At least two groups of scientists—one at the National Research Council Canada and the other at Global Contour, a firm in Texas—are developing electrically conductive cement that will block electromagnetic pulses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing geographical features, use "contour" to specifically refer to lines of equal elevation on a map.

Common error

Avoid using "contour" interchangeably with general shape descriptions. "Contour" implies a specific outline or line defining a boundary, especially in mapping or design.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contour" is as a noun, referring to the outline or shape of something. It can also function as a verb, meaning to shape or mold. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "contour" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun to describe the outline or shape of something. It also sees use as a verb meaning to shape or mold. It appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, "contour" is grammatically correct and usable in written English. When writing, it's best to reserve it for situations when specifying a precise outline or line defining a boundary and avoid using it interchangeably with general shape descriptions. Related terms include "outline", "shape", and "form", though each carries nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outline

Focuses specifically on the line that defines the outer boundary of something.

shape

Emphasizes the external form or appearance of an object.

form

Highlights the structure and organization of something.

configuration

Refers to the arrangement of parts or elements within a whole.

silhouette

Describes a dark shape or outline visible against a lighter background.

border

Indicates a boundary line separating two regions or areas.

edge

Denotes the boundary line of a surface or object.

profile

Represents a side view or outline of something, often a face or object.

curvature

Highlights the degree to which something is curved.

topography

Deals with the surface features of a region, including its elevation and relief.

FAQs

How can I use "contour" in a sentence?

You can use "contour" to describe the outline of an object, as in "The "contour of the mountain" was visible against the sky" or to refer to a line on a map, such as "The map showed "contour lines" indicating elevation".

What are some synonyms for "contour"?

Alternatives to "contour" include "outline", "shape", "form", and "profile", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "contour" and "outline"?

"Contour" often refers to a line representing a specific elevation or feature, especially on maps. While "outline" is a more general term for the outer edge or boundary of something.

Is "contour" only used in geographical contexts?

No, while "contour" is commonly used in geography to describe "contour lines on a map", it can also refer to the outline or shape of other objects, such as a face or a design.