betray — to be disloyal to someone who trusts you
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to be disloyal to someone who trusts you
Pronunciation (IPA): /bɪˈtreɪ/
Example Sentences
- My diet betrayed me when I saw the chocolate cake - I couldn't resist!
- The spy was arrested for betraying state secrets to foreign agents.
- Her red face betrayed the fact that she had been crying.
betray
VERB[/bɪˈtreɪ/]
to be disloyal to someone who trusts you
Her closest friend betrayed her by secretly sharing private information.
The spy betrayed his country for money and personal gain. (BREAK + TRUST = BETRAY)
The betrayal caused deep dismay and pushed old friends far away from each other.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old French 'betrayer', derived from 'be-' (thoroughly) + 'trair' (to hand over/deliver), which comes from Latin 'tradere' (to deliver, hand over). The sense evolved from literal 'handing over' to 'handing over to an enemy' and eventually 'being disloyal'.
Breakdown
be- (thoroughly, completely) + -tray (from Old French 'trair', meaning to deliver/hand over, from Latin 'tradere') = betray (to hand over to an enemy; to be disloyal)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My diet betrayed me when I saw the chocolate cake - I couldn't resist!”
“The spy was arrested for betraying state secrets to foreign agents.”
“Her red face betrayed the fact that she had been crying.”
“I trusted you with my Netflix password, and you betrayed me by watching the next episode without me!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.