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depict

verb
de·​pict | \ di-ˈpikt How to pronounce depict (audio) , dÄ“-\
depicted; depicting; depicts

Definition of depict

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
Other Words from depict Synonyms Depict and Depiction More Example Sentences Learn More about depict

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Other Words from depict

depicter \ di-​ˈpik-​tÉ™r How to pronounce depicter (audio) , dÄ“-​ \ noun

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.

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Copies of photographs taken by Esther Bubley that were featured in publications nationwide, are on display in the museum’s fellowship hall, depicting life in a 1940s oil community. — Melanie Feuk, Houston Chronicle, "Museum tackles termites, tree roots to preserve more than a century of Tomball history," 29 Aug. 2019 State prosecutors depicted Hershberger as someone who flouted the law by not getting a $265 retail license — although having unpasteurized milk in his store would have made that impossible, according to the state agriculture department. — Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Margarine smugglers, a deadly milk war and more flavor Wisconsin's dairy history," 28 Aug. 2019 The carving depicts a Puritan and an Indian, peering around the column that separates them. — Anthony Kronman, Twin Cities, "Anthony Kronman: Hiding the dark parts of our history on campuses is bad for our democracy," 26 Aug. 2019 The original children's book—written in 1956 by English novelist and playwright Dodie Smith—depicts de Vil as a mean heiress and former classmate of the dogs' kind human owner, Mrs. Dearly. — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, "The First Look of Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil Is Here," 25 Aug. 2019 Vita & Virginia depicts the two women meeting at a costume party, at which Sackville-West is immediately entranced by Woolf’s intellect and eloquence. — Suyin Haynes, Time, "What to Know About Virginia Woolf's Love Affair With Vita Sackville-West," 23 Aug. 2019 So far one of the most memorable outfits Carper has been lent, according to them, was a Princess Diana memorial shirt, depicting her walking hand-in-hand with Mother Theresa, and a mesh jersey featuring the word PRACTICE made into makeshift shorts. — Tatum Dooley, Teen Vogue, "Camilla Carper Is the Designer Letting People Dress Them, All in the Name of Art," 22 Aug. 2019 Also this time around, versions of the image with the date on them were found depicting both the iPhone and iPad interfaces. — Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, "Apple will unveil new iPhones on September 10, leak suggests," 15 Aug. 2019 Fears about the effects of violent video games grew in the mid-1990s, when video games started depicting blood and carnage. — Jane C. Timm, NBC News, "Fact check: Trump suggests video games to blame for mass shootings," 5 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'depict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of depict

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for depict

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

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More Definitions for depict

depict

verb
How to pronounce depict (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of depict

: to show (someone or something) in a picture, painting, photograph, etc.
: to describe (someone or something) using words, a story, etc.

See the full definition for depict in the English Language Learners Dictionary

depict

verb
de·​pict | \ di-ˈpikt How to pronounce depict (audio) \
depicted; depicting

Kids Definition of depict

1 : to represent by a picture
2 : to describe in words

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More from Merriam-Webster on depict

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with depict

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for depict

Spanish Central: Translation of depict

Nglish: Translation of depict for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of depict for Arabic Speakers

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