skyline
City's jagged edge
A skyline is the outline of buildings, mountains, or other features seen against the sky at the horizon.
The word most often describes urban profiles: The Manhattan skyline is instantly recognizable.
A city's skyline serves as its visual signature, shaped by its tallest structures.
The skyline can also refer to the horizon itself, where earth meets sky.
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- distantFar away or aloof
- expansiveCovering a large area
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
perspective · vanishing · sunset · dawn · twilight · dusk · sunrise · evening
View of urban architecture
- metropolisLarge important city
- downtownCentral business district
- highriseMultistory urban building
- towersTall vertical structures
rooftops · panorama · buildings · sprawl · concrete · glass · steel · modern
Tapering architectural peak
- steeplePointed church tower
- domeRounded vault forming roof
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
profile · outline · contour · arch · column · cornice · gable · pediment
vista
Pleasing distant scene
edge · perspective · vanishing · sunset · dawn · twilight · dusk · sunrise · evening · atmosphere
cityscape
View of urban architecture
- metropolisLarge important city
- downtownCentral business district
- highriseMultistory urban building
towers · rooftops · panorama · buildings · sprawl · concrete · glass · steel · modern · landmarks
spire
Tapering architectural peak
silhouette · profile · outline · contour · arch · column · cornice · gable · pediment · portico
outline
Summary of key elements
shadow · backlight · contrast · darkness · nightfall · moonlight · twilight · dusk · dawn · dramatic
ridge
Narrow raised strip
alpine · cordillera · foothills · plateau · pinnacle · massif · treeline · jagged · snow-capped · silhouette
- scenic viewsviewpoints, mountain views, sunset, vistas, vista
- sightseeinglandmarks, tourist attraction, attractions, landmark, city tours
- city skylinestowers, cityscapes, glass towers
- city viewscityscape, rooftop view, urban landscape, city lights, aerial view
- cityscape paintingrooftop view, rainy street, downtown, neon lights, traffic
- cityscapesurban landscapes, high-rise, city landmarks, high-rises, cityscapes
skylineground level
Surface elevation plane
street level · baseline · footprint · foundation · base
skylineforeground
Nearest visual plane
close-up · street view · street level · ground level · immediate surroundings
skylineterrain
Land's physical features
streetscape · underground · subterranean · bedrock · underfoot
- city skylineUrban rooftop profile
- downtown skyline
- Manhattan skylineVertical profile of towers
- urban skylineSilhouette of city buildings