French word

décrire

Pronunciation

IPA/dekʁiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbdescribe

Example

Peux-tu décrire cette photo ?

Could you describe this photo?

Illustration for décrire (describe)

More examples

Elle essaie de décrire ses émotions.

She tries to describe her emotions.

Core concept

A verbal sketch that puts a scene, object, or person into words, including visible details and the overall impression.

Common phrases

  • décrire un objet

    describe an object

  • décrire une scène

    describe a scene

  • décrire ses émotions

    describe one's emotions

Similar words

montrer: To present an object or condition so that another person can see it.
expliquer: To explain the cause or reason in a way that is easy to understand.
raconter: To recount a story or events step by step.
présenter: To present a person or matter by introducing it and stating its essentials.

Definition in French

Formuler en mots l'impression générale et les détails perçus d'une scène, d'un objet ou d'une personne.

Word origin

The verb décrire comes through Old French from Latin describere, formed from de- and scribere, meaning to write down or represent in detail.

Usage tips

  • Décrire takes a direct object without a preposition, as in décrire la photo, rather than an equivalent of English describe about the photo.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word