WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
de•pic•tion /dɪˈpɪkʃən/USA pronunciation n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- a description, either written or by drawing or painting.
de•pict /dɪˈpɪkt/USA pronunciation
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- [ ~ + obj] to represent by or as if by painting or drawing:depicted Napoleon with his hand inside his shirt.
- [ ~ + obj + as + noun/adjective] to represent or characterize in words;
describe:The story depicts the hero as an evil opportunist.
de•pict
(di pikt′),USA pronunciation v.t.
de•pict′er, de•pic′tor, n.
de•pic′tion, n.
de•pic′tive, adj.
- to represent by or as if by painting;
portray;
delineate. - to represent or characterize in words;
describe.
- Latin dēpictus (past participle of dēpingere), equivalent. to dē- de- + pic- past participle stem of pingere to paint + -tus past participle suffix
- 1625–35
de•pic′tion, n.
de•pic′tive, adj.
- 1. reproduce, draw, paint, limn. 1. 2. 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.
'depiction' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
blazon
- Burra
- Claude Lorrain
- Courbet
- Crabbe
- Gissing
- Gorki
- Hopper
- Jordaens
- Pagnol
- Welty
- characterization
- Genroku
- Middle Comedy
- naturalism
- organography
- picture
- rendering
- ukiyo-e