depict
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to show someone or something in a painting, drawing, or photograph.
to represent a subject in a visual art form such as painting, sculpture, or photography.
Simple“The old painting depicts a busy market in the centre of the city.”
In context“The mural depicts the historical struggle of the local community, using vibrant colours to contrast past hardships with future hopes.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, usually the person or scene being shown.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
to describe someone or something in a book or a report.
to characterise or represent a subject through linguistic description or narrative.
Simple“In his latest novel, the author depicts the detective as a lonely man.”
In context“The documentary depicts the CEO as a ruthless negotiator, though former employees often offer a more nuanced perspective on her leadership style.”
UsageOften used with 'as' to show the specific way a person or thing is being described.
Synonyms
Usage accurately depict
“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.”
From Middle English depicten, from Latin dēpictus, from dēpingō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.