description

Everyday

1. A description is words that tell what someone or something is like — how it looks, sounds, feels or behaves. tree →
2. A description is the act of describing. tree →
3. A description can also mean a kind or sort of person or thing. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, children write descriptions of characters and settings using adjectives and the five senses. In science, a description of an experiment tells what was done and seen. In safety, giving a good description helps police find a lost child or a thief. Phrases: «give a description», «fit the description», «beyond description», «job description».

Examples

• Write a description of your favourite place. tree →
• She gave the police a description of the man. tree →
• The book has a lovely description of the sea. tree →
• The puppy fits the description of the lost dog. tree →
• His description of the storm made me shiver. tree →
• Add a description under each picture. tree →
• The view was beautiful beyond description. tree →
• Here lies a maiden of another description. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: «description» (no «-scribe-» inside). Verb: «describe»; adjective: «descriptive». Countable: «a description», «descriptions». In maths, the word problem itself is a description; read it for numbers and what is asked.

In Jewish tradition

In English lessons, children write descriptions of characters and settings using adjectives and the five senses. In science, a description of an experiment tells what was done and seen. In safety, giving a good description helps police find a lost child or a thief. Phrases: «give a description», «fit the description», «beyond description», «job description».

Examples

• And ye shall describe the land into seven portions, and bring the description hither to me; and I will cast lots for you here before the LORD our God. (Prophets JOS.18.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling trap: «description» (no «-scribe-» inside). Verb: «describe»; adjective: «descriptive». Countable: «a description», «descriptions». In maths, the word problem itself is a description; read it for numbers and what is asked.