describe
/dɪˈskraɪb/to give a detailed account of something in words
The witness described the suspect to the police.
The witness gave a detailed verbal account of the suspect's appearance and actions.
The book describes the history of the region.
The book provides a detailed written account of the region's history.
Often used with prepositions like 'to' (describe to someone) or 'as' (describe as something).
Collocations
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Prepositions
Remember to use 'to' when describing something to someone (e.g., 'describe the scene to the audience').
⚡Gold Rule
Transitive Use
Always use 'describe' with an object (e.g., 'describe the event').
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'describen,' from Old French 'descrivre,' from Latin 'describere,' meaning 'to write down, copy, or draw.'
📝Usage Notes
Can be used both transitively (with an object) and intransitively (without an object). Often used in formal and informal contexts.