description

American  

[dih-skrip-shuhn] / dɪˈskrɪp ʃən /

noun

1. a statement, picture in words, or account that describes; descriptive representation.

2. the act or method of describing.

3. sort; kind; variety.

   dogs of every description.

   Synonyms:

   ilk, condition, character, nature, species

4. Geometry. the act or process of describing a figure.

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description British  

/ dɪˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. a statement or account that describes; representation in words

2. the act, process, or technique of describing

3. sort, kind, or variety

   reptiles of every description

4. geometry the act of drawing a line or figure, such as an arc

5. philosophy a noun phrase containing a predicate that may replace a name as the subject of a sentence

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description Idioms  

1. see beggar description.

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Other Word Forms

• predescription noun
• redescription noun
• self-description noun

Etymology

Origin of description

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English descripcioun, from Latin dēscrīptiōn-, stem of dēscrīptiō, from dēscrīpt(us) “described” (past participle of dēscrībere “to copy, draw, transcribe”; see describe) + -iō -ion

Explanation

A description puts something in words, like a portrait puts a person in paint. The lawnmower you came home with did not quite fit the description of the dishwasher you went shopping for. The root for description is the Latin word descriptio, meaning “to write down.” The “script” in description tells you that a good description makes what it describes come to life, like a script for a movie. Your description of that fudge almond swirl ice cream was so good I could taste it! Unfortunately, I'm allergic to nuts.

Example Sentences

John Steinbeck’s classic 1952 novel “East of Eden” begins with a lengthy and exhaustive description of the Salinas Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Asked about that description, Sir Philip said: "The word I would use is disinterested."

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

However, the BCS theory -- named after its creators -- provides only an approximate description.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

Mr. Pappalardo has a novelist’s gifts for description and pacing, and his material—greedy entrepreneurs, crafty moonshiners, crooked politicos and jaded cops—is material any writer would welcome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

As far as person went, she answered point for point, both to my picture and Mrs. Fairfax’s description.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• characterization
• confession
• definition
• depiction
• detail
• explanation
• information
• narration
• narrative
• picture
• portrayal
• report
• sketch
• statement
• story
• summary
• tale
• version