describe

American  

[dih-skrahyb] / dɪˈskraɪb /

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.

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describe British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• describability
  noun
• describable
  adjective
• 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

Etymology

Origin of describe

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

Explanation

To describe is to report details about something either out loud or in writing. "Since we can't come to Paris with you, please describe it in your letter!" Describe is from the Latin word describere which means "to write down." When you describe something, you're "da" scribe, the person writing things down! Writing teachers love to have students describe, using lots of details using the five senses and figurative language. It doesn't have to be written down, though — you can also describe that gold dress you saw to your friend on the phone. Or you can describe a circle, by sketching it out with a stick in the sand.

Example Sentences

Earlier this year, the Pew Research Center asked Democrats to describe what made them proud of America.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Others have taken to social media to describe him as "the nicest man you'll ever meet".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Google said on Tuesday that the search box is now more intuitive, and will expand to give users more space to describe what they are looking for when entering queries.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

The flaws of Callais are too numerous to describe in one article.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

“I believe the good soothsayer was speaking metaphorically. You remember what a metaphor is: when one thing is used to describe another—” But Penelope’s explanation was cut short by a rhythmic sound.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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