What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depict
Example
The painting depicts a beautiful sunset over the ocean. [depicts: verb]
Example
The novel depicts the struggles of a young immigrant family in a new country. [depicts: verb]
portray
Example
The actor portrayed a villain in the movie. [portrayed: verb]
Example
The article portrays the company as a leader in innovation. [portrays: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Portray is more commonly used than depict in everyday language, especially in the context of media and performance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depict and portray?
Depict is generally considered more formal than portray, which is often used in casual or conversational contexts.
