Define vs. Describe
The main difference between the terms define and describe is that ‘define’ means to explicate the exact meaning or scope of something whereas ‘describe’ means to illustrate something.
Key Differences
Define is just the meaning of the term; conversely describe is a whole description.
Term define is used to determine something on the flip side term describe is used to represent something.
Define is to be covered in one to two lines; on the other hand, describe is to be covered in one or two paragraphs.
The root meaning of define is “to limit,” whereas the root meaning of describe is “to illustrate.”
Define means to telling about the introduction of a thing inversely, describe means to telling about all parameters like size, types, cause function, usage, etc.
You define a word limit its meaning to something specific, and you have to create a boundary around the meaning to illustrate in few words or lines while describe means to write a whole description or report about something.
The definition of define is “to determine something with precision” on the contrary the definition of describe in literature is “to represent in words.”
Define is a qualitative description of something on the opposite describe is a quantitative description.
Define tells us about that what thing is this contrarily describe tells us about what a thing looks like.
Define seeks out meaning and purpose; conversely, describe seeks out color, dimensions, weight, texture.
Define presents the features of a subject; in contrast, describe presents the aspects of a subject.
Comparison Chart
.
It tells the nature
It gives a detailed verbal account
Content
General meaning
Full description
Kind of Information
Provides a general idea
Provides more details
Nature
It is a definition
It is a description or explanation
Define and Describe Definitions
Define
To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
Describe
To give an account of in speech or writing
Describe a sea voyage.
Define
To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain
Define the properties of a new drug.
A study that defines people according to their median incomes.
Describe
To convey an idea or impression of; characterize
She described her childhood as a time of wonder and discovery.
Define
To make clear the outline or form of; delineate
Gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
Describe
To represent pictorially; depict
Goya's etchings describe the horrors of war in grotesque detail.
Define
To specify distinctly
Define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
Describe
To trace the form or outline of
Describe a circle with a compass.
Define
To give form or meaning to
"For him, a life is defined by action" (Jay Parini).
Describe
(transitive) To represent in words.
The feeling is difficult to describe, but not unpleasant.
The geographer describes countries and cities.
Several witnesses describe seeing lights in the sky that night.
Define
To make or write a definition.
Describe
(transitive) To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.
To describe a circle by the compasses;
A torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
The defining power of an optical instrument
Describe
To give rise to a geometrical structure.
The function describes a very complex surface.
Define
(obsolete) To settle, decide an argument etc.
Describe
To introduce a new taxon to science by explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other taxa.
The fungus was first described by a botanist.
Define
To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
Your past mistakes do not define who you are.
Describe
(obsolete) To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
Define
To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.
Describe
To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out; as, to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle.
Define
To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.
Person 1: Is she good at math?
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
Describe
To represent by words written or spoken; to give an account of; to make known to others by words or signs; as, the geographer describes countries and cities.
Define
To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
To define the legal boundaries of a property
Describe
To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book.
Define
(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.
Describe
To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as, Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.
Define
(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.
Describe
Give a description of;
He drew an elaborate plan of attack
Define
To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
Describe
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Define
To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.
Describe
Identify as in botany or biology, for example
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.
Describe
Make a mark or lines on a surface;
Draw a line
Trace the outline of a figure in the sand
Define
To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.
Define
To determine; to decide.
Define
Give a definition for the meaning of a word;
Define `sadness'
Define
Determine the essential quality of
Define
Determine the nature of;
What defines a good wine?
Define
Delineate the form or outline of;
The tree was clearly defined by the light
The camera could define the smallest object
Define vs. Describe
The definition of define is “to determine something with precision.” In literature definition of describe is “to represent in words.” The word define intends to explain only the meaning of word. The word describe intends to give a whole description of characteristics or properties.
Define refers to determine. Describe refers to represent. The meaning of both terms is different. Define means to tell about the introduction of a thing. Describe means to tell about all parameters like size, types, cause function, usage, etc.
However, when you define a word you limit its meaning to something specific, and you have to create a boundary around the meaning to illustrate in a few words or lines. When you describe a word you have to write a whole description or report about something.
The root meaning of define is “to limit,” it is just giving words about words such as synonyms or meanings. The meaning of describe is “to illustrate something,” it is physically pointing the thing properly. Define briefly tells us about what thing is. Describe tells us in detail about what a thing is.
Usually, the description of a thing is followed by its definition. Define seeks out meaning and purpose. Describe seeks out color, dimensions, weight, texture, etc. Define provides just an introduction to the thing. Describe provides a list of properties and relevant behaviors etc. Define and describes have their way of presentation. Define presents the features of a subject. Describe presents the aspects of a subject.
Define and describe are believed to be the two different kinds of a thing’s description. Define is a qualitative description of something and describe is a quantitative description. Define is to explain the same thing by change the words. Describe is to explain what is happening in your own words.
What is Define?
Word Define means to illustrate the exactly nature, meaning, or scope of something. Define means to create a definition or understand the thing that is going to be defined. To define something is to discuss the general meaning of the thing. Sometimes to define something is to explain the important characteristics of the term.
In modern era define is something normally expressed in simple words or meanings. It is the meaning of the term or a group of words to explain the term. Single meaning or a group of words that is used to define a word is known as “definiendum.” Although, when an action is used to define a term then it is known as “definiens.”
Define is to indicate or identify the natural qualities of a thing. It is used to clear the outline, to determine or fix the boundaries about the term. Early French and Latin roots of word define is to make something closer, to limit or to create a boundary. Whenever you are thinking about term define remember that you are going to create limits of the meaning. You are specifying the meaning of a word or a whole concept.
To define something is to limit the meaning of this word to something specific. Define is the definition of a team. It should contain such information that is enough explanation to distinguish the term from other terms. Define is to determine and to express the essential nature of the things. Define is used to know about something with precision and to bring a termination to an end.
What is Describe?
The term describe used to give a verbal account detail of the thing. Describe is a description of something that will list out important features or properties of a thing. We describe things to clarify the concept of things to readers or listeners. For example if we describe a cat, we would describe his physical appearance, actions, skills, behavior, food, etc.
Generally we used word describe to describe an event, idea, person or incident. Whenever we talk about the appearance of a person to explain it we will describe the physical features of that person, his posture, clothes that he is wearing, skin color, etc.
However, when we describe an incident we’ll talk about the place where this incident occurs, exactly explain the situation that what happened, illustrate the reaction of the surrounding people about incident, our feelings about the incident, etc.
The term describe is giving a detailed account in words. Describe is to depict the situation in written or spoken words. Describe means to describe something. It give an account or representation of an incident in own words.
Describe is to give detail of something to someone. In other words describe is to report details about something. Word describe derived from Latin word “describere” which means to write down.
