Words / B2

di-PIKT/dɪˈpɪkt/

To depict is to show or describe in a picture, film, or words: depict life in a mining town, depicted as a hero. Show and describe are everyday; portray is a close cousin. Depiction is the noun. In speech, show / describe is enough. The word is common in reviews and history. Do not use depict for handing someone an object (that is give), and do not confuse it with deject (make sad — rare).

Meaning

To show or describe something in a picture, film, or words.

Examples

• “The novel depicts life in a small mining town.”
• “The mural depicts the 1984 strike, not a generic factory.”
• “Newspapers depicted the mayor as indecisive, which is a description, not a photograph.”

Good to know

Show or describe (art/film/words). Everyday: show / describe. Close: portray. Noun: depiction. Not “hand over an object”.

Near in meaning

portray

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