describe Hear it!

describe Definition

de·scribe (di skrīb′)

transitive verb -·scribed′, -·scrib′·ing

  1. to tell or write about; give a detailed account of
  2. to picture in words
  3. to trace the outline of his arm described an arc in the air
  4. Obsolete to descry: so used through confusion

Etymology: ME descriven < OFr descrivre < L describere, to copy down, transcribe < de-, from + scribere, to write: see scribe

describe Related Forms

de·scrib′·able adjective de·scrib′er noun

describe Synonyms

describe

v.

delineate, characterize, portray, depict, picture, give an account of, illuminate, make clear, make vivid, give the details of, convey a verbal image of, particularize, define, specify, elucidate, epitomize, report, draw, narrate, tell of, chronicle, paint, illustrate, detail, represent in words, make sense of, relate, recount, outline, express, label, name, call, term, catch, write up, pin down, give the dope on*; see also define 2, explain, narrate, represent 2.

describe Usage Examples

Object

  • situation: Short term advocacy We use the term short term advocacy to describe situations which last no more than three months.
  • method: Describe different methods of making a PCB Understand what surface mount is.
  • process: To describe such processes one requires a theory of quantum gravity.
  • technique: Syllabus: To describe the main techniques for automated reasoning in classical logic.
  • type: The data will also allow us to identify and describe the types of care offered when an admission does not take place.
  • procedure: We describe the research procedures, as well the application of the values inventory as a market research tool.

Subject

commentator: Terriers are described by the commentator as « working dogs with character » , but today the only criterion of judgment is beauty.

Preposition: as

'the: Described as 'The best performer of the night ' by the judges, Matt definitely stands a great chance in the final.

Modifying Another Word

  • below: The SEO packages described below offer a variety of tools to help you optimize your site for search engines.
  • separately: The main NT Web site is described separately in Altis.
  • briefly: Fixed assets used by the charity should be briefly described, eg desktop computer, or make of motor vehicle.

Used with why or when

  • what: A setting is a word used by consumers to describe what a jeweler would call a mount.
  • where: Are you able to describe where Oskar's voice came from?

Preposition: in

  • chapter: Federal Express, the parcel delivery company which we described earlier in this chapter, is a good example of this.
  • detail: The syllabus describes in detail the full range of activities candidates will be assessed on.
  • section: Some of the treatments used to help these problems are described in the next section.
  • term: Nature of problem: Several physical problems can be described in terms of coupled partial equations in two dimensions.
  • booklet: There is a legal remedy for all the rights described in this booklet.
  • paper: The essence of the pharmaceutical care described in the paper appears to be to encourage compliance with prescribed inhalers and other medications.

Preposition: by

commentator: Terriers are described by the commentator as « working dogs with character » , but today the only criterion of judgment is beauty.