describe
Put into words
To describe is to give an account of something in words—its appearance, nature, or qualities: She described the suspect to the police, He described the process in detail.
Description can be brief or elaborate, objective or impressionistic.
To describe someone as something is to characterize them: Critics described the film as groundbreaking.
In geometry, to describe a shape is to draw or trace it: The compass describes a circle.
Represent through performance
- illustrateExplain through depiction
- renderCause to become
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- paintColored coating substance
draw · capture · visualize · picture · image · represent · evoke · conjure
Narrate or retally
- relateConnect or recount
- narrateTell a story aloud
- reportFormal written findings
- chronicleOrdered historical record
document · tell · story · account · relay · recap · summarize · retell
Make something understandable
- illustrateExplain through depiction
- explainMake something understood
- demonstrateShow or prove something
- enlightenImpart knowledge or wisdom
educate · simplify · translate · expound · unfold · interpret · elucidate · demystify
Complex and detailed
- specifyState in detail
- itemizeList by particulars
- enumerateList items individually
- particularizeState in detail
list · catalog · inventory · outline · delineate · spell out · flesh out · expand
State precise meaning
- classifyArrange by shared traits
- categorizeAssign to distinct groups
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- typifyEmbody characteristic traits
distinguish · identify · profile · characterize · designate · mark · brand · stereotype
portray
Represent through performance
- illustrateExplain through depiction
- renderCause to become
- sketchHasty informal drawing
paint · draw · capture · visualize · picture · image · represent · evoke · conjure · recreate
recount
Narrate or retally
chronicle · document · tell · story · account · relay · recap · summarize · retell · recite
clarify
Make something understandable
- illustrateExplain through depiction
- explainMake something understood
- demonstrateShow or prove something
enlighten · educate · simplify · translate · expound · unfold · interpret · elucidate · demystify · break down
elaborate
Complex and detailed
particularize · list · catalog · inventory · outline · delineate · spell out · flesh out · expand · amplify
define
State precise meaning
- classifyArrange by shared traits
- categorizeAssign to distinct groups
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
typify · distinguish · identify · profile · characterize · designate · mark · brand · stereotype · pigeonhole
- communication verbssay, speak, tell, talk, ask
- clarifyexplain, clarify, elucidate, elaborate, spell out
- presentationpresent, deliver, introduce, demonstrate, display
- narration verbsrecount, relate, tell, report, chronicle
- writing verbsnarrate, recount, chronicle, transcribe, quote
- DBTDBT, skills training, emotion regulation, wise mind, individual therapy
describemisrepresent
Depict inaccurately or falsely
distort · falsify · misstate · misdescribe · twist
describeconceal
Keep from being seen
hide · withhold · suppress · censor · keep secret
describeshow
Make something apparent
demonstrate · display · present · exhibit · illustrate
- job descriptionWritten duties for a position
- descriptive detailSpecific observable element
- detailed descriptionThorough explanatory account
- descriptive adjectivesWords specifying noun attributes
- legal descriptionFormal land identification text
- vivid descriptionIntensely detailed verbal picture
description, described, describing, descriptive, nondescript, indescribable, describes, descriptions, indescribably