diff --git a/lib/actions/help.js b/lib/actions/help.js
index d056e4f8..22559fa2 100644
--- a/lib/actions/help.js
+++ b/lib/actions/help.js
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ help.argumentsHelp = function argumentsHelp() {
     return [
       '',
       config.name ? config.name : '',
-      config.desc ? '# ' + config.desc : '',
+      config.description ? '# ' + config.description : '',
       config.type ? 'Type: ' + config.type.name : '',
       'Required: ' + config.required
     ];
@@ -125,14 +125,12 @@ help.optionsHelp = function optionsHelp() {
   });
 
   var rows = options.map(function (opt) {
-    var defaults = opt.default;
-
     return [
       '',
       opt.alias ? '-' + opt.alias + ', ' : '',
       '--' + opt.name,
-      opt.desc ? '# ' + opt.desc : '',
-      defaults == null || defaults === '' ? '' : 'Default: ' + defaults
+      opt.description ? '# ' + opt.description : '',
+      opt.default != null && opt.default !== '' ? 'Default: ' + opt.default : ''
     ];
   });
 
diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index 3469e0f2..8673b660 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -73,18 +73,18 @@ var Base = module.exports = function Base(args, options) {
 
   this.option('help', {
     alias: 'h',
-    desc: 'Print the generator\'s options and usage'
+    description: 'Print the generator\'s options and usage'
   });
 
   this.option('skip-cache', {
     type: Boolean,
-    desc: 'Do not remember prompt answers',
+    description: 'Do not remember prompt answers',
     default: false
   });
 
   this.option('skip-install', {
     type: Boolean,
-    desc: 'Do not automatically install dependencies',
+    description: 'Do not automatically install dependencies',
     default: false
   });
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ Base.prototype.prompt = function (questions) {
  *
  * ### Options:
  *
- *   - `desc` Description for the option
+ *   - `description` Description for the option
  *   - `type` Either Boolean, String or Number
  *   - `alias` Option name alias (example `-h` and --help`)
  *   - `default` Default value
@@ -191,11 +191,15 @@ Base.prototype.prompt = function (questions) {
 
 Base.prototype.option = function option(name, config) {
   config = config || {};
+
+  // alias default to defaults for backward compatibility.
+  config.default = config.default != null ? config.default : config.defaults;
+  config.description = config.description || config.desc;
+
   _.defaults(config, {
     name: name,
-    desc: 'Description for ' + name,
+    description: 'Description for ' + name,
     type: Boolean,
-    default: config.defaults,
     hide: false
   });
 
@@ -219,7 +223,7 @@ Base.prototype.option = function option(name, config) {
  *
  * ### Options:
  *
- *   - `desc` Description for the argument
+ *   - `description` Description for the argument
  *   - `required` Boolean whether it is required
  *   - `optional` Boolean whether it is optional
  *   - `type` String, Number, Array, or Object
@@ -233,7 +237,8 @@ Base.prototype.argument = function argument(name, config) {
   config = config || {};
 
   // alias default to defaults for backward compatibility.
-  config.default = config.default || config.defaults;
+  config.default = config.default != null ? config.default : config.defaults;
+  config.description = config.description || config.desc;
 
   _.defaults(config, {
     name: name,
diff --git a/test/base.js b/test/base.js
index 7118a66a..e73ae9e7 100644
--- a/test/base.js
+++ b/test/base.js
@@ -658,7 +658,7 @@ describe('Base', function () {
 
       generator.option('foo');
       assert.deepEqual(generator._options.foo, {
-        desc: 'Description for foo',
+        description: 'Description for foo',
         name: 'foo',
         type: Boolean,
         default: undefined,