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Software Engineering vocabulary · Web, Mobile and Interface Development

Wireframe

Meaning in software engineering, with examples

/ˈwaɪərfreɪm/nounCore term

In software engineering, wireframe means: A simple, usually black-and-white drawing of a screen that shows where content, buttons and navigation will go, without final colours, images or styling.

In Turkish: wireframe, tel kafes taslak, iskelet taslak

How it is used

Made early in a project, on paper or in tools like Figma, to agree on structure before visual design starts. Also used as a verb: 'Let's wireframe the checkout first.' Grey boxes with an X often stand in for images.

Example sentences

  1. I sketched three wireframes for the home page so we can compare layouts.

  2. Don't worry about colours yet; this is just a wireframe.

Common collocations

  • sketch a wireframe
  • low-fidelity wireframe
  • wireframe the flow
  • share the wireframes
  • mockupA static, realistic image of a screen or product that shows the final colours, fonts, images and spacing but cannot be clicked.
  • prototypeA quick, rough version of a game or feature made to test whether an idea is fun or works, before the team spends time on final art and polish.
  • low-fidelityDescribes an early design, wireframe or prototype that is rough and simple, without real colours, images or detailed content, so it is quick to make and change.
  • layoutThe way elements are arranged on a page: where columns, menus, images and text sit and how they move when the screen size changes.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Web, Mobile and Interface Development

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