describe

Meaning

1. (transitive) To represent in words.
2. (transitive) To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.
3. (transitive) To give rise to a geometrical structure.
4. (transitive) 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.

Synonyms

depict

explain

portray

narrate

delineate

express

tell

define

draw

relate

represent

report

characterize

picture

illustrate

paint

characterise

interpret

distinguish

recite

trace

name

elucidate

denote

qualify

recount

description

identify

show

sketch

state

account

say

🗣️

key

🔑

discover

outline

limn

line

refer to

write out

write up

mention

expound

key out

demonstrate

indicate

typify

voice

word

express in words

give a hint

make clear

harrate

act for

bespeak

betoken

call

cartoon

celebrate

chronicle

circumscribe

compose

consider

copy

designate

duplicate

enact

estimate

exemplify

exhaust

feature

figure

film

📽️

hint

image

indication

inscribe

lecture

mean

perform

play

plot

profile

put

quote

recall

refer

reflect

register

shoot

sing

smooth over

speak

🗣️

stand for

statement

talk

🗣️

term

transcribe

Translations

décrire

beschreiben

describir

beschrijven

représenter

tanımlamak

dibujar

dessiner

caractériser

qualifier

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.