diff --git a/docs/api-resize.md b/docs/api-resize.md
index adb9488c..71438b4b 100644
--- a/docs/api-resize.md
+++ b/docs/api-resize.md
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ Resize image to `width`, `height` or `width x height`.
 
 When both a `width` and `height` are provided, the possible methods by which the image should **fit** these are:
 
--   `cover`: Crop to cover both provided dimensions (the default).
--   `contain`: Embed within both provided dimensions.
+-   `cover`: (default) Preserving aspect ratio, ensure the image covers both provided dimensions by cropping/clipping to fit.
+-   `contain`: Preserving aspect ratio, contain within both provided dimensions using "letterboxing" where necessary.
 -   `fill`: Ignore the aspect ratio of the input and stretch to both provided dimensions.
 -   `inside`: Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as large as possible while ensuring its dimensions are less than or equal to both those specified.
 -   `outside`: Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as small as possible while ensuring its dimensions are greater than or equal to both those specified.
diff --git a/lib/resize.js b/lib/resize.js
index 7e2f4b74..f03ce480 100644
--- a/lib/resize.js
+++ b/lib/resize.js
@@ -96,8 +96,8 @@ function isRotationExpected (options) {
  * Resize image to `width`, `height` or `width x height`.
  *
  * When both a `width` and `height` are provided, the possible methods by which the image should **fit** these are:
- * - `cover`: Crop to cover both provided dimensions (the default).
- * - `contain`: Embed within both provided dimensions.
+ * - `cover`: (default) Preserving aspect ratio, ensure the image covers both provided dimensions by cropping/clipping to fit.
+ * - `contain`: Preserving aspect ratio, contain within both provided dimensions using "letterboxing" where necessary.
  * - `fill`: Ignore the aspect ratio of the input and stretch to both provided dimensions.
  * - `inside`: Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as large as possible while ensuring its dimensions are less than or equal to both those specified.
  * - `outside`: Preserving aspect ratio, resize the image to be as small as possible while ensuring its dimensions are greater than or equal to both those specified.