ENGLISH
REFERENCE

description

n. C / U
A1 Beginner Oxford US //dɪsˈkɹɪpʃən// UK //dɪskɹˈɪpʃən// de·scrip·tion General-service

n. a picture in words that tells you what someone or something is like. You use it to help others imagine a person, place, or thing.

n. a spoken or written representation of a person, object, or event. Often functions as a detailed account of characteristics and qualities to facilitate identification or visualization.


SIMPLE

The police asked for a description of the thief.

CONTEXTUAL

The travel brochure provided a vivid description of the hotel's private beach and luxury spa facilities.

COMPLEX

While the technical manual offers a functional description of the machine, it fails to address the safety protocols required for daily operation in a high-pressure environment.

Origin

From Middle English descripcioun, from Old French description and its etymon, Latin dēscrīptiō, noun of action of dēscrībō (“to describe”). Equivalent to describe + -tion.

Usage

Countable when referring to a specific instance of describing; uncountable when referring to the act or power of describing in general.

Pitfall

He gave a description about the house.He gave a description of the house.The noun description is almost always followed by the preposition 'of' rather than 'about'.

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