description

The word “description” means a written or spoken account of what something is like. In plain terms, the words used to explain what someone or something is like.

“Description” is pronounced dih-SKRIHP-shuhn (/dɪˈskɹɪpʃən/ in IPA).

Here is “description” used in a sentence: “The witness gave police a detailed description of the getaway car.”

“Description” is a noun.

The word “description” comes from Latin. From Latin descriptio, "a copying down, a sketch," from describere (see "describe").

“Description” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Description” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a written or spoken account of what something is like.

A description tells you what something is like — its appearance, qualities, or details, as in describing a person's face or a landscape. A definition states precisely what a word or thing means, fixing its boundaries. Descriptions paint a picture; definitions pin down exact meaning.

A description tells you what something is like — how it looks, sounds, or feels. An explanation tells you why or how it happens, giving reasons or causes. You describe a storm's dark clouds and roaring wind; you explain what makes a storm form in the first place.

Common kinds include physical description, which covers appearance and sensory detail, and functional or technical descriptions used in manuals and job descriptions. In writing, description can be objective, sticking to facts, or impressionistic, conveying mood and feeling. All share the goal of showing what something is like.