# describe

/dɪsˈkɹaɪb/ (US) · /dɪskɹˈaɪb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/describe
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to explain in words

verb · CEFR A1

to say or write what someone or something is like so that others can imagine it.

For teachers: to give a detailed account in words of the appearance, nature, or attributes of something. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- The witness tried to describe the man she saw running away from the shop.
- The novelist spent three pages describing the rugged coastline, using vivid sensory details to immerse the reader in the setting.

Usage: Commonly used with 'to' when mentioning the recipient of the description.

### 2. to draw or trace a shape

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to move in a way that creates a specific shape, like a circle.

For teachers: to mark out or trace the form or outline of a geometric figure or path.

- Use a compass to describe a perfect circle on the paper.
- As the planet orbits the star, its path describes an ellipse rather than a perfect circle.

Usage: Often used in geometry and physics to explain the movement of objects through space.

### 3. to name a new species

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

to officially name and explain a new plant or animal for the first time in science.

For teachers: to provide the first formal scientific account and naming of a new taxon.

- The researchers hope to describe several new species of insects found in the rainforest.
- The botanist published a paper to formally describe the rare orchid, distinguishing it from similar species found in the same valley.

Teaching tip: In academic biology, 'describing' a species is a specific legal and scientific process, not just a casual observation.

## Examples

- She describes her new job as challenging but rewarding.
- The witness tried to describe the getaway car to the police, noting its unusual color and a large dent in the door.
- In her latest novel, the author describes the harsh winter landscape with such vivid precision that the reader can almost feel the biting wind and the crunch of frozen snow.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.