describe
dih-SKRYB
Describe (verb) means to put something into words, giving an account of what it is like. Example: “Can you describe the man you saw at the door?”
verb
1
To put something into words, giving an account of what it is like.
"Can you describe the man you saw at the door?"
"She struggled to describe how the medicine made her feel."
"Try to describe the taste of the soup to me."
2
To trace or form a particular shape, especially in geometry.
"The comet's orbit describes a long, narrow ellipse."
"Use the compass to describe a perfect circle on the paper."
"The swinging pendulum describes an arc through the air."
How to use describe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo explain what something is or looks like using words.
Common pairings
describe in detail
hard to describe
describe someone as
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- describes
- Past tense
- described
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Can you _____ the man you saw at the door?
Etymology
From Latin describere, "to copy down or sketch out" — from de- ("down, off") + scribere ("to write"), the same root that gives us "scribe."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for describe
See all rhymes for describe →Frequently asked questions
What does “describe” mean?
The word “describe” means to put something into words, giving an account of what it is like. In plain terms, to explain what something is or looks like using words.
How do you pronounce “describe”?
“Describe” is pronounced dih-SKRYB ([dɪˈskɹaɪ̯b] in IPA).
How do you use “describe” in a sentence?
Here is “describe” used in a sentence: “Can you describe the man you saw at the door?”
What is another word for “describe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “describe” include betell, depict, report, delineate, draw and chronicle.
What is the opposite of “describe”?
The opposite of “describe” — its antonyms — are burlesque, caricature, distort, exaggerate and misrepresent.
What part of speech is “describe”?
“Describe” is a verb.
Where does the word “describe” come from?
The word “describe” comes from Latin. From Latin describere, "to copy down or sketch out" — from de- ("down, off") + scribere ("to write"), the same root that gives us "scribe.".
Is “describe” a common word?
“Describe” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between describe and explain?
To describe something is to say what it is like — its appearance, qualities, or features. To explain is to make it understood by giving reasons, causes, or how it works. You describe a sunset by its colours, but you explain a sunset by the science of scattered light. Description tells what; explanation tells why or how.
What are some ways to describe something?
You can describe something by its appearance, size, colour, sound, texture, or smell, and by comparing it to things people already know. Vivid adjectives, similes, and specific details help. Describing a place, for instance, might cover what you see, hear, and feel there, painting a clear picture in words.
What is an example of describing something?
Saying 'the house was a small, white cottage with a red door and roses climbing the walls' describes it by giving a clear account of what it looks like. Rather than explaining why the house is there, the sentence simply puts its appearance into words so a reader can picture it.
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