What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
limned
Example
The artist limned the portrait with great care and attention to detail. [limned: verb]
Example
The author limned the landscape with such vivid descriptions that the reader felt transported to the scene. [limned: past tense]
describe
Example
Can you describe the suspect's appearance to the police? [describe: verb]
Example
The writer described the sunset with such beautiful language that the reader could almost see it in their mind. [described: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Describe is more commonly used than limned in everyday language. Describe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while limned is less common and has a more formal and literary connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between limned and describe?
Limned is typically associated with a more formal and literary tone, while describe is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
