depict
Americanverb
-
to represent by or as by drawing, sculpture, painting, etc; delineate; portray
-
to represent in words; describe
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have depictedperfect
-
has depictedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have been depictingperfect progressive
-
am depictingprogressive 1st person singular
-
is depictingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been depictingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
depictssingular 3rd person
-
are depictingprogressive
-
depictingparticiple
Past
-
had depictedperfect
-
was depictingprogressive singular
-
depictedparticiple
-
depictedsimple
-
were depictingprogressive plural
-
had been depictingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of depict
First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin dēpictus (past participle of dēpingere ), equivalent to dē- de- + pic- past participle stem of pingere “to paint” ( see paint) + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
When you depict something, you draw a picture of it, describe it, or show what it looks like. So grab a crayon, a paint brush, or even an Etch-A-Sketch and start depicting. From the Latin depictus, meaning “to portray, paint, sketch, describe,” depict is a way to communicate what you see. To explain to an alien what a banana is, you can either depict it with drawings, describe it in words, or both. But be careful. Writes author Joyce Maynard, "The painter who feels obligated to depict his subjects as uniformly beautiful or handsome and without flaws will fall short of making art."
Vocabulary lists containing depict
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
ACT Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
STAAR English I: The Language of the Test 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Depict their lives as a string of endless indignities, and you will be accused of exploiting their suffering.
From Economist • Sep. 13, 2017
Depict him, as it were, throwing off his human shape and seeing the abodes of men so far below him, so puny, so infinitely small that he begins to realize eternity.
From The House Under the Sea A Romance by Pemberton, Max, Sir
Depict, de-pikt′, v.t. to paint carefully: to make a likeness of: to describe minutely.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Floats Depict Town’s Story The float “Revolutionary Generals of Fredericksburg” was one that brought much cheering.
From Historic Fredericksburg The Story of an Old Town by Goolrick, John T.
Depict innocence on Florence's part—she does not "get his drift."
From Writing the Photoplay by Esenwein, J. Berg (Joseph Berg)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
