described
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.”
How to Use Described
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTold someone what something was like.
Neutral.
Describe never takes an indirect object without to: describe it to me, not describe me it.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
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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.