verb
Very common
described
dih-SKRYBD
Described (verb) means past tense and past participle of describe: to have said or written what someone or something is like. Example: “The witness described a man in a grey coat.”
verb
1
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."
"The role is described in detail in the job pack."
"She described the problem clearly so the engineer could fix it quickly."
2
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."
"The skater described a perfect circle on the ice."
"The comet described a long curve across the night sky."
How to use described
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTold someone what something was like.
When to use it
Neutral.
Memory tip
Describe never takes an indirect object without to: describe it to me, not describe me it.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
as described
described above
described in detail
described as
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The witness _____ a man in a grey coat.
Etymology
From Latin describere 'to write down, copy off', from de- 'down' plus scribere 'to write'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for described
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of described?
"described" (verb) means past tense and past participle of describe: to have said or written what someone or something is like.
What is another word for described?
Other words for "described" include depicted, characterised, portrayed, recounted, detailed, traced.
