depict

verb

de·​pict di-ˈpikt 

dē-

depicted; depicting; depicts

transitive verb

1

: to represent by or as if by a picture

a mural depicting a famous battle

2

: describe sense 1

the way the novelist depicts his female characters

depicter

di-ˈpik-tər 

dē-

noun

Did you know?

Depict and Depiction

If you depict someone or something, you show what that person or thing is like—either in some kind of image (such as a drawing, painting, photograph, or movie), or with words.

What results from your efforts to depict that person or thing can be called a depiction. The noun depiction is included at this entry without a definition because its meaning can be easily understood from the definition of the verb—it's the act of, or an instance of, depicting something or someone—but some examples of depiction in a sentence might be helpful:

The depiction of the battle in the painting is not historically correct.

I think the novel is a good depiction of a typical modern American marriage.

Many were moved by the film's depictions of animals helping people.

The author's depiction of the practice as uncommon is problematic; it's done by millions of people throughout the world every day.

The essay is an honest depiction of life in the city.

The book is fascinating in its depiction of the country's early history.

Synonyms

• delineate
• describe
• draw
• image
• limn
• paint
• picture
• portray
• render
• set out
• sketch

Examples of depict in a Sentence

The wall was painted with a large mural depicting famous scenes from American history.

Several of the architect's most famous buildings will soon be depicted on postage stamps.

The photograph depicts the two brothers standing in front of a store.

Angels are usually depicted with wings.

In the drawing, the magic cap was depicted as a soft, black hat.

The movie depicts the life of early settlers.

I like the way she depicts the characters in her novels.

Recent Examples on the Web

In all, 60 individual engravings exceeded 30-foot dimensions, including a centipede and two humanoid figures who may depict spirits or gods. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 June 2024

The Los Angeles Times could not confirm the veracity of the videos, but the locations depicted in them correspond to the embassy. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024

Agricultural objects — including a plow and a shepherd’s staff — are also depicted on the walls. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024

Starring Ryan Gosling as lumber mill worker Noah Calhoun and Rachel McAdams as heiress Allie Hamilton, the film depicts the two characters as lovers from opposite sides of the tracks, longing for one another despite Allie’s parents’ disapproval of Noah. —Erica Marrison, Peoplemag, 2 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin depictus, past participle of depingere, from de- + pingere to paint — more at paint

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

depict

verb

de·​pict di-ˈpikt 

1

: to represent by a picture

2

: to describe in words

depiction

-ˈpik-shən 

noun