ENGLISH
REFERENCE

describes

v.
A2 Elementary US //dɪsˈkɹaɪbz// UK //dɪskɹˈaɪbz// de·scribes

v. to say or write what someone or something is like. You use this to give a picture of a person, place, or event using words.

v. to provide a detailed account or representation of the characteristics of a person, object, or event. Transitive; requires a direct object or a wh-clause.


SIMPLE

The witness describes the man to the police.

CONTEXTUAL

The brochure describes the hotel as a luxury resort with private beach access and three swimming pools.

COMPLEX

In her latest novel, the author describes the rugged coastline with such vivid sensory detail that the reader can almost smell the salt air.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It is frequently followed by 'as' when assigning a specific quality to the object.

Pitfall

He describes about his trip.He describes his trip.Describe is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'about'.

© 2026 English Reference