Description — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈskrip-shən/ de·scrip·tion

Meaning & Definition of Description

Description (noun)

  1. an act of describing; specifically, discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced
  2. a statement or account giving the characteristics of someone or something, a descriptive statement or account
  3. kind or character especially as determined by salient features

Description (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a vivid representation in words of someone or something

    "we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him"

    similar: definition, delineation, depiction, picture, portrait, portraiture, portrayal, rendering, sketch, vignette
    related: account, anecdote, chronicle, narrative, report, story, tale, yarn, demonstration, exemplification, illustration, clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition

  2. a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common

    "fixes small appliances and other things of that description"

    similar: breed, class, feather, genre, ilk, kidney, kind, like, manner, nature, order, sort, species, strain, stripe, type, variety
    related: model, sample, specimen, bracket, bunch, category, division, family, grade, group, grouping, lot, persuasion, rank(s), set, suite

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Description

The most common words with a similar meaning to Description:

definition, delineation, depiction, picture, portrait, portraiture, portrayal, rendering, sketch, vignette, breed, class, feather, genre, ilk, kidney, kind, like, manner, nature, order, sort, species, strain, stripe, type, variety

Related Words for Description

account, anecdote, chronicle, narrative, report, story, tale, yarn, demonstration, exemplification, illustration, clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition, model, sample, specimen, bracket, bunch, category, division, family, grade, group, grouping, lot, persuasion, rank(s)

Origin & Etymology of Description

Middle English descripcioun, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin description-, descriptio, from describere see describe

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Description

Words & Phrases Containing Description

self-description, beggar description, beyond description

Frequently Asked Questions about Description

What does "Description" mean?

"Description" means an act of describing; specifically, discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced. As a noun, it is defined as: an act of describing; specifically, discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Description"?

Other words for "Description" include definition, delineation, depiction, picture, portrait, portraiture, portrayal and rendering. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Description" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Description"?

There are 59 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Description". Common alternatives include definition, delineation, depiction, picture, portrait, portraiture, portrayal, rendering, sketch and vignette.

How do you use "Description" in a sentence?

Examples of "Description" in a sentence: "we immediately recognized the man from our cousin's description of him"; "fixes small appliances and other things of that description".

Is "Description" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Description" is a noun.

Is "Description" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Description" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Description"?

"Description" is pronounced /di-ˈskrip-shən/ and divided into syllables as de·scrip·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Description"?

"Description" comes from Middle English descripcioun, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin description-, descriptio, from describere see describe. First known use: 14th century.