Example vs. Description — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Example and Description
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Compare with Definitions
Example
A thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule
Advertising provides a good example of an industry where dreams have faded
Description
Description is the pattern of narrative development that aims to make vivid a place, object, character, or group. Description is one of four rhetorical modes (also known as modes of discourse), along with exposition, argumentation, and narration.
Example
A person or thing regarded in terms of their fitness to be imitated
It is important that parents should set an example
He followed his brother's example and deserted his family
Description
A spoken or written account of a person, object, or event
People who had seen him were able to give a description
Example
Be illustrated or exemplified
The extent of Allied naval support is exampled by the navigational specialists provided
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Description
A type or class of people or things
It is laughably easy to buy drugs of all descriptions
Example
One that is representative of a group as a whole
The squirrel, an example of a rodent.
Introduced each new word with examples of its use.
Description
The act, process, or technique of describing.
Example
One serving as a pattern of a specific kind
Set a good example by arriving on time.
Description
A statement or an account describing something
Published a description of the journey.
Gave a vivid description of the game.
Example
A similar case that constitutes a model or precedent
A unique episode, without example in maritime history.
Description
A pictorial representation
Monet's ethereal descriptions of haystacks and water lilies.
Example
A punishment given as a warning or deterrent
Saw the boy's suspension as an example to all students considering breaking the rules.
Description
A kind or sort
Cars of every size and description.
Example
One that has been given such a punishment
Made an example of the offender.
Description
A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.
Give a verbal description of the events
A realistic description
Example
A problem or exercise used to illustrate a principle or method.
Description
The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.
Example
Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
Description
A set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized.
The zoo had no lions, tigers, or cats of any description.
Example
Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.
Description
(taxonomy) A scientific documentation of a taxon for the purpose of introducing it to science.
The type description of the fungus was written by a botanist.
Example
Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example).
Nelson Mandela was an example for many to follow.
Description
(linguistics) The act or practice of recording and describing actual language usage in a given speech community, as opposed to prescription, i.e. laying down norms of language usage.
Example
A person punished as a warning to others.
Description
(linguistics) A descriptive linguistic survey.
Example
A parallel or closely similar case, especially when serving as a precedent or model.
Description
The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.
Example
An instance (as a problem to be solved) serving to illustrate the rule or precept or to act as an exercise in the application of the rule.
Description
A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.
Milton has descriptions of morning.
Example
To be illustrated or exemplified (by). en
Description
A class to which a certain representation is applicable; kind; sort.
A difference . . . between them and another description of public creditors.
The plates were all of the meanest description.
Example
One or a portion taken to show the character or quality of the whole; a sample; a specimen.
Description
A statement that represents something in words
Example
That which is to be followed or imitated as a model; a pattern or copy.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
I gave, thou sayest, the example; I led the way.
Description
The act of describing something
Example
That which resembles or corresponds with something else; a precedent; a model.
Such temperate order in so fierce a causeDoth want example.
Description
Sort or variety;
Every description of book was there
Example
That which is to be avoided; one selected for punishment and to serve as a warning; a warning.
Hang him; he'll be made an example.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Example
An instance serving for illustration of a rule or precept, especially a problem to be solved, or a case to be determined, as an exercise in the application of the rules of any study or branch of science; as, in trigonometry and grammar, the principles and rules are illustrated by examples.
Example
To set an example for; to give a precedent for; to exemplify; to give an instance of; to instance.
Burke devoted himself to this duty with a fervid assiduity that has not often been exampled, and has never been surpassed.
Example
An item of information that is representative of a type;
This patient provides a typical example of the syndrome
There is an example on page 10
Example
A representative form or pattern;
I profited from his example
Example
Something to be imitated;
An exemplar of success
A model of clarity
He is the very model of a modern major general
Example
Punishment intended as a warning to others;
They decided to make an example of him
Example
An occurrence of something;
It was a case of bad judgment
Another instance occurred yesterday
But there is always the famous example of the Smiths
Example
A task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding;
You must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook
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