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Definition and meaning of English word "describe"

describe

/dɪˈskraɪb/

Meaning

Verb

To represent in words.

Reviewed by the TheLernen language teamDefinition sourced from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)

How to use

The verb 'describe' is commonly used in formal and informal contexts to provide detailed accounts of people, places, objects, or experiences. A typical context for 'describe' is in writing, such as in descriptive essays or product descriptions. One grammatical nuance to note is that 'describe' often takes a direct object, and learners should be cautious not to omit the object, which can lead to incomplete or unclear sentences.

🇬🇧 English

describe

Example

Can you describe the painting to me?

She is describing the new policy to the employees.

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Synonyms

to represent or show something in a picture or descriptionto depict or represent someone or something in a particular wayto give a detailed account or description of something

Common phrases

  • describe in detail— to give a very detailed description of something
  • describe as— to say that something or someone is like something else
  • accurately describe— to give a correct or precise description of something

More Extended Verbs words

Frequency rank: #964 in English

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the English word "describe" mean?▼

The English word "describe" means "describe" in English.

How do you pronounce the English word "describe"?▼

You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "describe" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.

Can I see an example sentence with "describe"?▼

Yes, here is a practical example: "Can you describe the painting to me?" (which translates as "describe").

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