Describe vs. Explain: Difference and Comparison
By Muazma Batool & Muneeza Rehman — Published on July 22, 2024
"Describe" involves depicting or portraying details about something, focusing on appearance and characteristics, while "explain" entails clarifying or elucidating the reasons or processes behind phenomena.
Difference Between Describe and Explain
"Describe" typically involves providing details about the physical appearance, characteristics, or features of a subject, aiming to create a vivid picture for the listener or reader. On the other hand, "explain" focuses more on detailing the underlying reasons, mechanisms, or concepts that make something work or justify its existence.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
When you describe something, you might detail its size, shape, color, and arrangement without providing insights into why those features exist. Whereas when you explain, you delve into the causes, purposes, and functions, potentially ignoring the physical attributes unless they are directly relevant to the explanation.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Description can be purely observational, often used in settings like art critique, nature observation, or personal narratives. In contrast, explanation is more common in educational, scientific, and technical contexts where understanding the 'how' and 'why' is crucial.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Descriptive language tends to be more adjective-rich and sensory-oriented, helping to paint a mental image. However, explanatory language uses more connectives and technical terminology to construct logical coherence and causality
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Descriptions provide the groundwork for narratives by setting scenes and introducing entities; explanations build on this by adding depth and context, answering questions about relationships and implications that arise from the described scenarios.
Olivia
Jul 22, 2024
Describe vs. Explain Comparison Chart
Purpose
Create a mental image or narrative
Provide understanding of mechanisms
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Typical Use Cases
Art, literature, personal narratives
Science, education, analysis
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Outcome
Viewer/reader visualizes the subject
Viewer/reader understands the subject
Jonathan
Jul 22, 2024
Describe vs. Explain Definitions
◉Describe
To depict in written or spoken words.
The book describes the life of George Washington.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To elucidate, clarify, or provide understanding.
The teacher explained the concept of photosynthesis to the class.
Olivia
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To represent or outline something in words.
She described her first visit to New York with great enthusiasm.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To give a reason for or cause of.
She explained her late arrival by noting the terrible traffic.
William
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To narrate or relate, usually in detail.
Can you describe what happened at the meeting?
Leo
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To justify or account for something.
He had to explain his absence from the meeting.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To specify or name attributes of something.
The police asked her to describe the suspect.
Kaitlyn
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To solve or work out with detail.
They explained the math problem step by step.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To convey an idea or impression of; characterize
She described her childhood as a time of wonder and discovery.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To represent pictorially; depict
Goya's etchings describe the horrors of war in grotesque detail.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To offer reasons for the actions, beliefs, or remarks of (oneself).
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉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.
Nolan
Apr 29, 2024
◉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
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
She is about to explain a chapter of the Bible to the Sunday School students.
She tried to explain but he wouldn’t listen.
Nolan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To give rise to a geometrical structure.
The function describes a very complex surface.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉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.
William
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
(obsolete) To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
Lucas
Apr 29, 2024
◉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.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉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.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To flatten; to spread out; to unfold; to expand.
The horse-chestnut is . . . ready to explain its leaf.
Henry
Apr 29, 2024
◉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.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to expound; to unfold and illustrate the meaning of; as, to explain a chapter of the Bible.
Commentators to explain the difficult passages to you.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as, Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.
Levi
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
Make palin and comprehensible;
He explained the laws of physics to his students
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
Define;
The committe explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
Serve as a reason or cause or justification of;
Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work
Her recent divorce amy explain her reluctance to date again
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
Make a mark or lines on a surface;
Draw a line
Trace the outline of a figure in the sand
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Explain
To make an idea, situation, or problem clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas.
He explained the rules of the game to the new players.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
◉Describe
To convey the appearance, form, or details of something.
He described the sunset as a blend of orange and purple.
Muazma Batool
Apr 29, 2024
Describe vs. Explain Frequently Asked Questions
Can you describe without explaining?
Yes, describing can purely focus on observable attributes without delving into causes or reasons.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Which skill is more critical in scientific writing, describing or explaining?
Both are crucial; describing is important for detailing observations, while explaining is key for discussing theories and mechanisms.
Jonathan
Jul 22, 2024
What is the primary goal of description versus explanation?
The goal of description is to create a vivid image or narrative, while explanation aims to clarify understanding.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
How do descriptions and explanations differ in literature?
In literature, descriptions enhance the setting and mood, while explanations might provide background or motives.
William
Jul 22, 2024
Can you explain without describing?
Yes, explaining often involves discussing processes or reasons without focusing on physical details.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Which is more subjective, describing or explaining?
Describing can be more subjective, as it often reflects personal perception.
Kaitlyn
Jul 22, 2024
How can one improve their skills in both describing and explaining?
Practice, feedback, and studying examples of each can greatly improve proficiency in both areas.
Jonathan
Jul 22, 2024
What makes a good description?
A good description is rich in sensory details and paints a clear picture for the audience.
Lucas
Jul 22, 2024
How do journalists use descriptions and explanations?
Journalists use descriptions to set scenes and evoke imagery, and explanations to clarify facts and contexts.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Why might someone fail at explaining even if they can describe well?
They may lack the deeper understanding or logical framework needed to transform observations into explanations.
Henry
Jul 22, 2024
What makes a good explanation?
A good explanation is clear, logical, and sufficiently detailed to foster understanding.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Is it necessary to describe before you explain?
Often, yes, to set the context before delving into deeper analysis or justification.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
In what ways do descriptions support explanations?
Descriptions provide the necessary context that explanations build upon to make complex ideas understandable.
Henry
Jul 22, 2024
What are the challenges in switching from description to explanation?
The challenge lies in moving from visual or sensory details to abstract concepts and logical reasoning.
William
Jul 22, 2024
How do teaching methods utilize both descriptions and explanations?
Effective teaching uses descriptions to introduce concepts and explanations to deepen understanding.
Muazma Batool
Jul 22, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
Co-written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
