What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
described
Example
She described the scene in vivid detail. [described: verb]
Example
The article described the history of the city. [described: past tense]
characterize
Example
The novel characterizes the protagonist as a brave and determined individual. [characterizes: verb]
Example
The report characterized the economy as stable and growing. [characterized: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Described is more commonly used in everyday language, while characterize is more commonly used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between described and characterize?
Characterize is generally considered more formal than described, and is often used in technical or academic contexts.
