almost defies description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost defies description" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is so extraordinary or unique that it is difficult to adequately express in words. Example: "The beauty of the sunset over the mountains was so breathtaking that it almost defies description."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The plot almost defies description.

The Guardian

To her, Virginia Beach almost defies description.

The New York Times - Magazine

And his 28-yard touchdown catch over Arizona's Jamell Fleming almost defies description.

The New York Times - Sports

The prosecutor added that the squalor "almost defies description for any human being to live in".

The Guardian

It is so very great that it almost defies description, with its unique use of words, history, emotion and suspense.

The Guardian - Books

As the pump-jacks bobbed and creaked, we were subjected to an unfettered, gladiator-style hazing session so brutal it almost defies description.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

National differences among rieslings almost defy description.

The New York Times

It was bizarre enough to almost defy description.

The New York Times - Sports

Notre Dame had to work a bit harder for its victory, a three-overtime thriller that almost defied description, Graham Hays writes on ESPN.com.

The New York Times - Sports

It left only one question remaining: The Cardinals' 10-9, 11-inning victory was the kind of game that almost defied description, but, oh my gosh, who wouldn't want to try to describe it?

The New York Times

The boathouse nearly defies description.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and choose a synonym if "almost defies description" seems too strong or informal for your context.

Common error

Avoid using "almost defies description" for commonplace or ordinary situations. Reserve it for truly exceptional or remarkable instances to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost defies description" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the extreme difficulty or impossibility of adequately describing something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct. It serves to highlight the unique or extraordinary quality of the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost defies description" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey the difficulty of articulating something extraordinary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase functions as an intensifier. It finds frequent use in news, media and science. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant such emphasis to avoid diluting its impact. Consider more mundane descriptions for everyday occurrences and be mindful of your audience. The phrase has several suitable alternatives like "virtually indescribable" or "nearly beyond words".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually indescribable

Emphasizes the near impossibility of describing something, using a more formal tone.

nearly beyond words

Highlights the inadequacy of language to capture the essence of something.

hard to put into words

Focuses on the difficulty of articulating something verbally.

difficult to articulate

Highlights the struggle to express something clearly and effectively.

baffles explanation

Suggests something is not only hard to describe but also understand.

beggars description

Implies something is so extraordinary that it surpasses the ability to describe it.

words fail to capture

Directly states that language is insufficient to represent something.

beyond comprehension

Indicates that something is so complex or extreme it cannot be fully understood.

defies easy explanation

Highlights the complexity and resistance to simple explanations.

not easily described

A simpler way to convey the difficulty in describing something.

FAQs

What does "almost defies description" mean?

It means that something is so remarkable, complex, or extraordinary that it is extremely difficult to describe adequately using words.

What can I say instead of "almost defies description"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually indescribable", "nearly beyond words", or "hard to put into words" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "something almost defies description"?

Yes, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express that something is very difficult to describe.

How can I use "almost defies description" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe scenery, events, emotions, or any subject that is difficult to capture with language. For example: "The sunset over the Grand Canyon almost defies description."