trace out
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
show the shape or path of something by drawing or following it
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
to copy or mark the outline of something by drawing over it
"The children traced the stars out on black paper."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
to identify or describe the development or path of something step by step
"The documentary traces out the family's journey across three generations."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used in art, geometry, anatomy, and figurative writing about patterns or developments.
Commonly used with
outline pattern shape letters route history
Forms
Base
trace out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
traces out
he/she/it
Past simple
traced out
yesterday
Past participle
traced out
have + pp
-ing form
tracing out
continuous
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Synonyms
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