Word
depict
Phoneticsde·pict
US/dɪˈpɪkt/
UK/dɪpˈɪkt/
Definitions
01to show in art
v. to show someone or something in a painting, drawing, or photograph.
v. to represent a subject in a visual art form such as painting, sculpture, or photography.
“The old painting depicts a busy market in the centre of the city.”
“The mural depicts the historical struggle of the local community, using vibrant colours to contrast past hardships with future hopes.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, usually the person or scene being shown.
Synonyms
02to describe in words
v. to describe someone or something in a book or a report.
v. to characterise or represent a subject through linguistic description or narrative.
“In his latest novel, the author depicts the detective as a lonely man.”
“The documentary depicts the CEO as a ruthless negotiator, though former employees often offer a more nuanced perspective on her leadership style.”
Academic
Usage
Often used with 'as' to show the specific way a person or thing is being described.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“A Nasa illustration depicting a possible appearance of the planet Kepler-452b.” “When he re-emerged in 2021, it was as a solo artist: a Guardian profile depicted him “fizzing with enthusiasm” about his new music, excitement borne out by his final album The Painter.” Etymology
From Middle English depicten, from Latin dēpictus, from dēpingō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.