it defies description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it defies description" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is so extraordinary or unique that it cannot be adequately described with words. Example: "The beauty of the sunset over the mountains was so breathtaking that it defies description."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It defies description; it could be a Hollywood movie," Portugal's José Fonte said afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

"You're quite right in guessing that it defies description," Burns wrote his friend Holger Hagen about the book.

The New York Times - Magazine

A Guardian review of a recent paperback version, translated into English by Maureen Freely, said that it "defies description".

The Guardian

"This man had such a stranglehold on this town it defies description," said Gary F. Stowell, a lawyer hired by the borough to conduct the assessment.

The New York Times

"It defies description except to say that it's one more overbearing government intrusion on free enterprise in our country," Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican of Texas, in urging repeal of the provision.

The New York Times

Equally paradoxical are the positive descriptions Nishida gives it, in spite of the implicit claim that it defies description.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

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

Increasingly, youths choose to go dancing, with the aid of glow sticks and a few thousand friends, until 5 A.M. Electronic dance music (E.D.M). is the ungainly name for a genre so wide it almost defies description.

The New Yorker

The incident was so extreme, it almost defies description.

Science Magazine

The Brits are so provincial in their slobbering adoration of their sports stars that it sometimes defies description.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it defies description" when you genuinely feel that the subject is so unique or extraordinary that words cannot do it justice. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it defies description" for commonplace or mildly interesting subjects. Reserve it for experiences or phenomena that truly push the boundaries of language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it defies description" functions as a comment or evaluation about a subject, asserting that the subject's qualities are so exceptional or unique that they cannot be adequately captured by language. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to express astonishment, wonder, or the sheer complexity of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it defies description" is a phrase used to express that something is so unique or extraordinary that it is almost impossible to describe adequately. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and provides examples from various sources, including news and science. While relatively uncommon, it is generally used in a neutral register and is more frequent in news, media, and scientific contexts. When seeking alternatives, consider "indescribable" or "beyond words" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defies adequate description

Similar meaning but emphasizes that the description is not good enough.

indescribable

Highlights the inability to describe something due to its nature.

beggars description

Implies that the subject is so extraordinary that it surpasses the power of description.

beyond words

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

cannot be put into words

Directly states the impossibility of verbalizing something.

words fall short

Indicates that language is insufficient to convey the full meaning or impact.

unutterable

Suggests that something is too profound or intense to be spoken or expressed.

too wonderful to describe

Highlights the positive and overwhelming nature of something.

passes all understanding

Focuses on the incomprehensible nature of something, making it hard to describe.

transcends language

Suggests the subject is beyond the scope and limitations of language itself.

FAQs

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

Use "it defies description" when you want to emphasize that something is so extraordinary or unique that it's almost impossible to put into words. For example, "The view from the summit was so breathtaking that "it defies description"".

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

You can use alternatives like "indescribable", "beyond words", or "beggars description", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it defies description"?

Yes, "it defies description" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely accepted.

When is it appropriate to use "it defies description"?

It's most appropriate to use "it defies description" when you want to express that something is so remarkable, complex, or profound that conventional language falls short of capturing its essence. Consider if "indescribable" would also apply.