betray
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty.
Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.
-
to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling.
to betray a trust.
-
to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to.
to betray one's friends.
-
to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence.
to betray a secret.
-
to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal).
Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.
-
to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose.
an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.
- Synonyms:
- uncover, demonstrate, manifest, display
-
to deceive, misguide, or corrupt.
a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.
-
to seduce and desert.
verb
-
to aid an enemy of (one's nation, friend, etc); be a traitor to
to betray one's country
-
to hand over or expose (one's nation, friend, etc) treacherously to an enemy
-
to disclose (a secret, confidence, etc) treacherously
-
to break (a promise) or be disloyal to (a person's trust)
-
to disappoint the expectations of; fail
his tired legs betrayed him
-
to show signs of; indicate
if one taps china, the sound betrays any faults
-
to reveal unintentionally
his grin betrayed his satisfaction
-
to reveal one's true character, intentions, etc
-
to lead astray; deceive
-
euphemistic to seduce and then forsake (a woman)
Other Word Forms
- betrayal noun
- betrayer noun
- prebetray verb (used with object)
- self-betraying adjective
- unbetraying adjective
Etymology
Origin of betray
First recorded in 1200–50; from Middle English bitraien, equivalent to bi- be- + traien, from Old French trair, from Latin trādere “to betray”; traitor
Explanation
When you betray someone or something, you provide information whether you mean to do it or not, like the loud growling of your stomach that betrays your hunger or the secret you tell about your friend that betrays her trust. When you betray someone or something, you reveal something, like a secret or your true feelings. You may betray your impatience, for example, if you sit at your desk tapping your fingers. There is another meaning of betray that is just the opposite: lie. You betray your friend if you pretend that something is true just to trick him into doing what you want. In this case, betray means the same thing as deceive.
Vocabulary lists containing betray
Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
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!
Beowulf vocabulary
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!
Purple Hibiscus
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.
It can’t be deposed, call the police or betray a confidence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
If Borgli’s film is to be believed, we only really begin to understand someone when they betray our trust.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
The element of the finale that struck the audience was more than likely the cliff-hanger of whether either traitor would betray each other to take home the £97,750 prize, or would they split it?
From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026
"I don't think anyone would betray her father," said Alfredo Canchica, leader of another collective, the Fundacion 3 Raíces.
From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026
He would betray and betray and betray again.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
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.
