Depiction: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to the act of describing or showing something in words or images.

• The book's depiction of life in a small village is very detailed
• The artist's depiction of the sunset was breathtaking

Refers to the way something is presented or depicted, especially in a formal or symbolic manner.

• The statue is a representation of freedom
• The artist's work offers a modern representation of classical themes

Used when discussing how a person, character, or situation is represented in art, literature, or film, often focusing on how accurate or vivid it is.

• The actor's portrayal of the historical figure was highly praised
• Critics loved the portrayal of friendship in the movie

Often used when talking about drawings or pictures in books, magazines, or educational materials; it can also refer to clarifying or explaining with examples.

• The textbook contains many illustrations to help explain the concepts
• She provided an illustration of the theory using a simple diagram

Use when talking about a detailed visual or verbal presentation of someone or something.

• The artist's depiction of the landscape was breathtaking.
• In her novel, the author provides a vivid depiction of 19th-century life.

Commonly used in everyday context to provide details about something or someone.

• Can you give me a description of the suspect?
• The guide's description of the historical monument was very informative.

Often used in artistic contexts, especially in literature and media, to show how someone or something is presented.

• Her portrayal of the character earned her an Academy Award.
• The movie's portrayal of the city life was both vibrant and realistic.

Typically used in formal or academic contexts to discuss how something is presented or symbolized.

• The sculpture was a modern representation of classical themes.
• This graph is a visual representation of the data collected over the past year.