depict

[ dih-pikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to represent by or as if by painting or other visual image; portray; delineate.

   Synonyms: limn, paint, draw, reproduce

2. to represent or characterize in words; describe.

depict

/ dɪˈpɪkt /

verb

1. to represent by or as by drawing, sculpture, painting, etc; delineate; portray
2. to represent in words; describe

Derived Forms

• deˈpictive, adjective
• deˈpicter, noun
• deˈpiction, noun

Other Words From

• de·pict·er de·pic·tor noun
• de·pic·tion noun
• de·pic·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depict¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin dēpictus (past participle of dēpingere ), equivalent to dē- de- + pic- past participle stem of pingere “to paint” ( paint ) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of depict¹

C17: from Latin dēpingere, from pingere to paint

Synonym Study

Depict, portray, sketch imply a representation of an object or scene by colors or lines, or by words. Depict emphasizes vividness of detail: to depict the confusion of departure. Portray emphasizes faithful representation: We could not portray the anguish of the exiles. Sketch suggests the drawing of the outlines of the most prominent features or details, often in a preparatory way: to sketch the plans for a community development.

Example Sentences

“So I think that speaks to Zach doing his research in depicting an autistic child authentically.”

From Los Angeles Times

It depicts a girl who decides to send a present to a boy who is feeling lonely, a nod to the retailer's toy bank scheme.

From BBC

I was nervous about that initially, but it ended up being monumentally helpful because you get to distinguish the factors that come together in the end a little bit more by depicting them chronologically.

From Los Angeles Times

The artwork was coated with a dark varnish and accumulated dirt over the years, giving the false impression it depicts a night scene.

From BBC

Frederick Douglass depicted his plantation in Maryland as resembling “what the baronial domains were during the Middle Ages in Europe.”

From Salon

Related Words

• characterize
• detail
• illustrate
• interpret
• paint
• portray
• represent
• reproduce
• sketch