Synonyms of description

description

noun

di-ˈskrip-shən 

1

as in depiction

a vivid representation in words of someone or something

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in type

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word description distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of description are character, kind, nature, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might character be a better fit than description?

The meanings of character and description largely overlap; however, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When could kind be used to replace description?

While the synonyms kind and description are close in meaning, kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When would nature be a good substitute for description?

The words nature and description can be used in similar contexts, but nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When can sort be used instead of description?

In some situations, the words sort and description are roughly equivalent. However, sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can type take the place of description?

The synonyms type and description are sometimes interchangeable, but type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of description

Related Stories Full character descriptions can be found below. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

Mapped homes The properties that have been mapped to date in Washington County appear with detailed descriptions of the racially restrictive covenants, the addresses and the dates they were added. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025

The bill, which has not yet been introduced in Congress, would in part underscore existing constitutional speech protections, according to a description of its details. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025

No, that’s not a description of what fueled them to victory against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025