describe

Study(13)

UK [dɪˈskɹɑjb] US [dɪˈskɹaɪ̯b]

verb 5

Collocations

(verb.)

ADV

accurately, exactly, in detail

The scientist accurately described how the new vaccine works in her research paper.

fully

The doctor fully described the symptoms to help me understand my condition better.

adequately

briefly

The teacher briefly described the main events of the French Revolution before the test.

vividly

VERB + DESCRIBE

cannot

No single word can describe how delicious that homemade chocolate cake was.

be difficult to, be hard to, be impossible to

go on to

She went on to describe her childhood memories in great detail during the interview.

Definitions

verb

To represent in words.

The feeling is difficult to describe, but not unpleasant.

The geographer describes countries and cities.

To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.

to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle

Uncas described an arc in the water with his own blade, and as the canoe passed swiftly on, Chingachgook recovered his paddle, and flourishing it on high, he gave the war-whoop of the Mohicans.

To give rise to a geometrical structure.

The function describes a very complex surface.

To introduce a new taxon to science by explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other taxa.

The fungus was first described by a botanist.

To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.

Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

verb — identify as in botany or biology, for example

verb — to give an account or representation of in words

verb — give a description of

verb — make a mark or lines on a surface

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

The feeling is difficult to describe, but not unpleasant.

Wiktionary

The geographer describes countries and cities.

Wiktionary

Several witnesses describe seeing lights in the sky that night.

Wiktionary

Bill Clinton spoke in ambiguous language when asked to describe his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Tatoeba · #1997

Can you describe the object?

Tatoeba · #44133

Words cannot describe the beauty.

Tatoeba · #44335

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, describe is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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