described
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for described, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Past tense and past participle of describe: to have said or written what someone or something is like.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
Past tense and past participle of describe: to have said or written what someone or something is like.
“The witness described a man in a grey coat.”
2. verb
Past tense and past participle of describe in the sense of tracing or marking out a shape or path.
“The ball described a lazy arc over the keeper's head.”
How to Use Described
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral.
Etymology
From Latin describere 'to write down, copy off', from de- 'down' plus scribere 'to write'.
Full origin of described →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between described and described as?
Described alone introduces the details themselves: she described the house. Described as introduces a label or judgement applied to something: the house was described as derelict, which reports someone else's characterisation rather than plain fact.
What does 'as described' mean in an online listing?
It means the item you received matches the seller's written account of it, in condition, size and features. Marketplaces use 'not as described' as a formal ground for a refund when the two do not match.