describe
word
Definition
To say or write what someone or something is like, giving details about appearance, qualities, events, or feelings. It is used when you want to help someone imagine, understand, or identify something.
Usage & Nuances
Common pattern: 'describe + noun' or 'describe something as + adjective/noun'. Often used in speaking, writing, reports, and storytelling. Learners sometimes confuse it with 'explain': 'describe' gives details about what something is like, while 'explain' tells how or why something happens.
Example Sentences
Can you describe your bag to me?
basic
She described the room as small and dark.
basic
Please describe what happened after lunch.
basic
I don't even know how to describe that smell.
natural
He described the trip as the best week of his life.
natural
It's hard to describe how nervous I was before the interview.
natural