Word
description
Phoneticsde·scrip·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪsˈkɹɪpʃən/
UK/dɪskɹˈɪpʃən/
Definitions
01an account of something
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a picture in words that tells you how something looks, sounds, or feels.
n. a spoken or written representation of the appearance, nature, or attributes of something.
日本語:描写※
Español:descripción
“The witness gave a detailed description of the man to the police.”
“The novelist provided such a vivid description of the coastal village that readers felt they could smell the salt air.”
Pitfall
He gave a description about the man.
He gave a description of the man.
Use the preposition 'of' after description to indicate the subject being described.
02linguistic analysis
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Linguistics Academic · Technical
n. the study of how people actually use a language, without saying what is right or wrong.
n. the objective recording and analysis of language usage within a speech community, contrasted with prescription.
日本語:記述※
“The book offers a clear description of how the local dialect has changed.”
“Modern linguistics prioritises the accurate description of spoken corpora over the enforcement of traditional grammatical rules.”
Usage
Often used in the context of 'descriptive linguistics'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a type or category
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. a particular type or kind of person or thing.
n. a class, type, or variety of something, often used in the phrase 'of every description'.
“The shop sold old books and magazines of every description.”
“The festival attracted travellers of every description, from wealthy tourists to backpackers on a strict budget.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “description” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English descripcioun, from Old French description and its etymon, Latin dēscrīptiō, noun of action of dēscrībō (“to describe”). Equivalent to describe + -tion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/description
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0