Japanese word

シルエット

Pronunciation

Romajishiruetto

Meaning

  • nounsilhouette

Example

月明かりで木のシルエットが見えます。tsuki a ka ri de ki no shi ru e tto ga mi e ma su

I can see the silhouette of a tree in the moonlight.

Illustration for シルエット (silhouette)

More examples

夕焼けを背にすると、人物のシルエットがはっきりします。yū ya ke o se ni su ru to jin butsu no shi ru e tto ga ha kki ri shi ma su

When the sun is behind them, the person's silhouette becomes clear.

Core concept

Presents a recognizable outline while concealing the details inside it.

Common phrases

  • シルエットを描くshi ru e tto o ega ku

    draw a silhouette

  • シルエットが浮かぶshi ru e tto ga u ka bu

    a silhouette emerges

Similar words

輪郭rinkaku: The boundary line that defines the visible shape of a person or object.
外形gaikei: The visible form of an object as a whole, apart from its internal parts.

Definition in Japanese

人物や物の外側の輪郭が、内部の細部を伴わずに形として現れたもの。jin butsu ya mono no soto gawa no rin kaku ga nai bu no sai bu o tomona wa zu ni katachi to shi te arawa re ta mo no

Word origin

シルエット (shiruetto) is borrowed from French silhouette, which became associated with Étienne de Silhouette and the inexpensive profile portraits connected with him.

Usage tips

  • In photography and film, a silhouette can make a subject recognizable through posture and outline even when facial features and clothing details cannot be seen.

Other meanings

  • outlinenoun

Word lists with this word