describe
gb/dɪskɹˈaɪb/ us/dɪskɹˈaɪb/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Give a detailed account in words
To say or write what someone or something is like.
Usage pattern:
to describe [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'describe' with 'explain'. 'Describe' focuses on saying what something is like, while 'explain' focuses on making something clear or giving reasons.
Synonyms
explain (Focuses more on making something clear or understandable rather than giving a full account of its features.)
|
depict (Often used for describing something visually or artistically, not just verbally.)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to hide information instead of explaining or revealing it.)
Collocations
describe in detail
|describe accurately
|describe briefly
|describe clearly
Themes
communication
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She described the city as vibrant and full of life.
- Can you describe what happened at the meeting?
- He described the suspect to the police officer.
- The brochure describes the hotel’s facilities.
- She described her childhood home in vivid detail.
Learner examples
- Please describe your best friend.
- Can you describe your room?
- He described his dog to me.
- I will describe my family.
- She can describe the picture.
Verb
B1
action
2
Classify or characterize something
To say that something is a certain way or belongs to a certain group.
Usage pattern:
to describe [something] as [adjective/noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'as' when giving the classification, e.g., 'He described it boring' instead of 'He described it as boring'.
Synonyms
label (Suggests attaching a specific name or category, sometimes oversimplifying.)
|
characterize (Focuses on defining the main qualities or features of something.)
Antonyms
misrepresent (Means to give an inaccurate description or classification.)
Collocations
describe as unfair
|describe as dangerous
|describe as successful
Themes
communication
|analysis
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The teacher described the project as innovative.
- Many critics describe the film as a masterpiece.
- She described him as generous and thoughtful.
- The report describes the situation as urgent.
Learner examples
- He described the book as boring.
- They described the food as delicious.
- I describe my town as small.
- She describes her job as hard.
Grammar
Dictionary form
describe
IPA
GB/dɪskɹˈaɪb/
US/dɪskɹˈaɪb/
Syllables & stress
de - scribe (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (scribe)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: describe
- 3rd Person Singular: describes
- Present Participle: describing
- Past: described
Word family
Forms
describes
verb
describing
verb
described
verb
Core family
description
noun A2
descriptive
adjective B2
Related words
descriptively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
indescribable
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
descriptor
noun
Expressions
describe in detail
1/dɪskɹˈaɪb ˈɪn dˈiteɪl/
fixed phrase
Explain fully with all details
To say everything about something with many small facts and information.
Examples
- She described in detail how the accident happened.
- The witness described in detail what the thief was wearing.
describe yourself
1/dɪskɹˈaɪb jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Give details about yourself
To say what you are like, including your personality and appearance.
Examples
- In the interview, they asked me to describe myself.
- Describe yourself in three words.
hard to describe
1/hˈɑɹd tə dɪskɹˈaɪb/
fixed phrase
Difficult to explain in words
Used when something is not easy to explain with words.
Examples
- The beauty of the sunset is hard to describe.
- His feelings at that moment were hard to describe.