describe

Meaning

1. To represent in words.
2. To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.
3. To give rise to a geometrical structure.
4. To introduce a new taxon to science by explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other taxa.
5. (obsolete) To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.

Concepts

describe

depict

explain

portray

narrate

express

delineate

tell

define

relate

draw

represent

report

characterize

illustrate

picture

paint

recite

interpret

distinguish

name

trace

characterise

denote

state

description

sketch

recount

elucidate

show

qualify

identify

account

indicate

write up

write out

demonstrate

refer to

expound

outline

discover

key

key out

line

mention

limn

say

act for

enact

perform

play

put

register

stand for

exemplify

consider

smooth over

lecture

harrate

quote

compose

celebrate

sing

figure

chronicle

designate

image

circumscribe

feature

typify

copy

make clear

give a hint

hint

indication

estimate

refer

call

term

bespeak

betoken

plot

film

profile

shoot

cartoon

inscribe

duplicate

transcribe

express in words

word

speak

talk

recall

reflect

exhaust

mean

statement

voice

Hyphenated as

de‧scribe

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɪˈskɹaɪb/

Etymology

From Middle English descriven, from Old French descrivre, from Latin dēscrībō (“I copy off, transcribe, sketch off, describe in painting or writing”), from dē (“off”) + scrībō (“write”); see scribe and shrive. Displaced native Old English āmearcian.