Meaning & use
self-description
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A statement or account in which someone describes their own character, qualities, or situation.
Grammar: Can be used with 'a' or in the plural: 'a self-description', 'their self-descriptions'.
Patterns
- a self-description of someone
- provide a self-description
- write a self-description
In the survey, each participant gave a short self-description.
Her self-description as a 'quiet observer' surprised her friends.
The application asks for a self-description in no more than 100 words.
nouncountableformal
The way a person or group characterizes themselves, often in official or public contexts.
Grammar: Often used in the plural when talking about how different people describe themselves.
Patterns
- someone's self-description
- the group's self-description
The company's self-description as 'family-friendly' was questioned by employees.
Their self-descriptions varied widely, from 'ambitious' to 'laid-back'.
Word forms
| plural | self-descriptions |
|---|
Common combinations
- a brief self-description
- Please include a brief self-description with your photo.
- an accurate self-description
- That is an accurate self-description of how I work.
- give a self-description
- He gave a self-description that focused on his sense of humor.
- self-description in a profile
- Her self-description in the profile was both funny and honest.
Synonyms and how they differ
- self-portrait
- Usually a visual or artistic representation; self-description is verbal or written.
- self-image
- Refers to how you see yourself internally, not the statement you make about yourself.
Word family
- describe verb
- To say what someone or something is like.
- description noun
- A spoken or written account of something.
- descriptive adjective
- Giving details about what something is like.
Commonly confused: self-description or self-deprecation?
self-description vs self-deprecation
Self-deprecation means making yourself seem less important, often humorously; self-description is simply describing yourself.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'self-description' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A self-description is about yourself, so option B fits. Option A describes a car, not the person; option C describes a building; option D uses it as a verb, which it is not.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “self-description”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.