describe

[dih-skrahyb]

verb (used with object)

described, describing 

1. to tell or depict in written or spoken words; give an account of.

   He described the accident very carefully.

   Synonyms: relate, tell, recount, represent, characterize, portray

2. to pronounce, as by a designating term, phrase, or the like; label.

   There are few people who may be described as geniuses.

3. to indicate; be a sign of; denote.

   Conceit, in many cases, describes a state of serious emotional insecurity.

4. to represent or delineate by a picture or figure.

5. Geometry.,  to draw or trace the outline of.

   to describe an arc.

describe

/ dɪˈskraɪb /

verb

1. to give an account or representation of in words

2. to pronounce or label

   he has been described as a genius

3. to draw a line or figure, such as a circle

Other Word Forms

• describable adjective
• describability noun
• describably adverb
• describer noun
• nondescribable adjective
• overdescribe verb (used with object)
• predescribe verb (used with object)
• redescribe verb (used with object)
• self-described adjective
• undescribable adjective
• undescribableness noun
• undescribably adverb
• undescribed adjective
• well-described adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of describe¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English describen, from Latin dēscrībere, equivalent to dē- de- + scrībere “to write”

Word History and Origins

Origin of describe¹

C15: from Latin dēscrībere to copy off, write out, delineate, from _de- + scrībere to write

Synonym Study

Describe, narrate agree in the idea of giving an account of something. To describe is to convey in words the appearance, nature, attributes, etc., of something. The word often implies vividness of personal observation: to describe a scene, an event. To narrate is to recount the occurrence of something, usually by giving the details of an event or events in the order of their happening. Narrate thus applies only to that which happens over time: to narrate an incident.

Example Sentences

In a recorded confession reported by KTLA, Ali described to detectives how, after returning from dropping off their 2- and 5-year-old sons, he left his trunk open and approached Castillo’s door, which he found unlocked.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Georgia's leaders reject that portrayal, describing their approach towards Russia as "pragmatic" and their primary duty to maintain peace with their northern neighbour.

Read more on BBC

Labor demand was also described as weaker in multiple districts.

Read more on Barron's

Labor demand was also described as weaker in multiple districts.

Read more on Barron's

David Chase refused to definitively settle that argument until 2021 — or 2018, for those close readers of “The Sopranos Sessions” who noticed the “Sopranos” creator describe that moment in a certain way.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• call 
• characterize 
• chronicle 
• construe 
• define 
• depict 
• detail 
• express 
• illustrate 
• interpret 
• label 
• name 
• outline 
• portray 
• recount 
• report 
• represent 
• specify 
• tell 
• term