depict

/dəˈpɪkt/

/dɪˈpɪkt/

Other forms: depicted; depicting; depicts

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."

Definitions of depict

1. verb

   give a description of
   synonyms: describe, draw

   types:

   represent

   describe or present, usually with respect to a particular quality

   delineate

   describe in vivid detail

   adumbrate, outline, sketch

   describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of

   emblematize, symbolise, symbolize

   represent or identify by using a symbol; use symbols

   actualise, actualize

   represent or describe realistically

   block out

   indicate roughly

   type of:

   exposit, expound, set forth

   state
2. verb

   show in, or as in, a picture
   “This scene depicts country life”

   synonyms: picture, render, show

   types:

   illustrate

   depict with an illustration

   map

   depict as if on a map

   type of:

   interpret, represent

   create an image or likeness of
3. verb

   make a portrait of
   synonyms: limn, portray

   type of:

   interpret, represent

   create an image or likeness of