Entry Word: describe

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to give a representation or account of in words <he tried to describe the dream he had last night as accurately as he could>

Synonyms delineate, depict, draw, image, paint, picture, portray, sketch

Related Words characterize, qualify, represent; demonstrate, illustrate; narrate, recite, recount, relate; display, exhibit, show; hint, suggest; draft, outline

Near Antonyms color, distort, falsify, garble, misrepresent, pervert, twist, warp

2 to give an oral or written account of in some detail <a biography of Washington that describes the Battle of Yorktown at great length> — see tell 1
3 to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group <how would you describe the Inupiat people you encountered in Alaska?> — see characterize 1