DESCRIBE

Describe is a verb in English that means to give a detailed account of the characteristics, features, or qualities of someone or something, or to explain and convey a perception in words. It can also mean to present a scene, event, or process in a way that makes its appearance or behavior recognizable to others.

It derives from Latin describere, from de- “down” and scribere “to write.” In English it entered Middle English via Old French descrire. The form describe is typically used with a direct object; forms such as describes, describing, and described reflect subject agreement and tense.

As a transitive verb, describe takes an object (a person, place, thing, or situation) and is often followed by an adjective or a phrase such as “in detail” or “as X.” Examples: “She described the landscape in vivid terms,” “The report describes the procedure.” The noun form is description; the related adjective is descriptive.

Usage notes: describe emphasizes conveying information through language and is broad enough to cover factual reporting, characterizations, or explanations. It differs from depict or illustrate in nuance, with describe focusing on spoken or written articulation of features rather than solely on creating a visual image. In formal writing, description aims for clarity, accuracy, and objectivity, while more subjective or literary descriptions may incorporate mood or perception.