Dictionary.com

descry

[ dih-skrahy ]
/ dɪˈskraɪ /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for descry on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), de·scried, de·scry·ing.
to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully; discern; espy: The lookout descried land.
to discover; ascertain; detect.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of descry

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English descrien, from Old French de(s)crïer “to proclaim, decry”; see dis-1, cry

OTHER WORDS FROM descry

de·scri·er, nounun·de·scried, adjectiveun·de·scry·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH descry

decry, descry
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to descry

behold, detect, determine, discern, disclose, espy, note, observe, perceive, reveal, see, sight, spot

How to use descry in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for descry

descry
/ (dɪˈskraɪ) /
verb -scries, -scrying or -scried (tr)
to discern or make out; catch sight of
to discover by looking carefully; detect

Derived forms of descry

descrier, noun

Word Origin for descry

C14: from Old French descrier to proclaim, decry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK