# betrayal

/bɪˈtɹeɪəɫ/ (US) · /bɪtɹˈeɪəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/betrayal
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

an act of hurting someone who trusts you, such as a friend or partner. It happens when you break a promise or help an enemy.

For teachers: the act of violating trust, confidence, or an inherited bond of loyalty. Often involves aiding an adversary or failing to uphold a moral or personal commitment.

## Examples

- Sharing her secret with the whole school was a huge betrayal.
- He felt a deep sense of betrayal when he discovered his business partner had been stealing from the company.
- The novel explores the psychological impact of political betrayal, focusing on how a single informant's actions destroyed an entire underground resistance movement.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the abstract concept of disloyalty; countable when referring to specific instances or acts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.