description

[dih-skrip-shuhn]

noun

1. a statement, picture in words, or account that describes; descriptive representation.

2. the act or method of describing.

3. sort; kind; variety.

   dogs of every description.

   Synonyms: ilk, condition, character, nature, species

4. Geometry.,  the act or process of describing a figure.

description

/ dɪˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. a statement or account that describes; representation in words

2. the act, process, or technique of describing

3. sort, kind, or variety

   reptiles of every description

4. geometry the act of drawing a line or figure, such as an arc

5. philosophy a noun phrase containing a predicate that may replace a name as the subject of a sentence

Other Word Forms

• predescription noun
• redescription noun
• self-description noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of description¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English descripcioun, from Latin dēscrīptiōn-, stem of dēscrīptiō, from dēscrīpt(us) “described” (past participle of dēscrībere “to copy, draw, transcribe”; describe ) + -iō -ion

Idioms and Phrases

see beggar description.

Example Sentences

A good description for addiction is “false worship” — making something or somebody into your God and sacrificing everything to it.

From Los Angeles Times

The domestic spy agency classified it in May as a right-wing extremist organisation this year, before placing a pause on that description due to an appeal pending in court.

From BBC

Within minutes of his defeat, 23rd seed Bublik wrote 'AI' in a comment on the US Open's Instagram post about the result - reiterating the description he made about Sinner going into Monday's fourth-round match.

From BBC

A few weeks ago she got a call saying someone who matched her husband's description was in the Malindi mortuary.

From BBC

The product description that follows: “A simple statement of fact.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• characterization 
• confession 
• definition 
• depiction 
• detail 
• explanation 
• information 
• narration 
• narrative 
• picture 
• portrayal 
• report 
• sketch 
• statement 
• story 
• summary 
• tale 
• version