betrays

Betrays is the third-person singular present tense of the verb betray. It carries related meanings such as revealing something that was meant to be kept secret, being disloyal to a person, group, or cause, or misleading by exposing information that should be concealed. In everyday usage, betray can describe breaking a confidence, exposing a hidden motive, or showing true feelings inadvertently.

Origin and usage notes: The word comes from Old French betrayer or be-trayer, from Latin tradere “to hand over.” The core sense evolved from “to hand over” to “to reveal” and to “be disloyal.” Grammatically, betray is transitive and takes a direct object, as in betray a confidence, betray a friend, betray one's country, or betray a cause. It can also appear in phrases where the subject reveals an outcome or flaw, such as “The device betrays a fault.”

Usage and nuance: Betray emphasizes a breach of trust or disloyalty, rather than simple deception. It often carries a moral judgment, for example betraying a confidant or betraying one’s country. Related terms include betrayal (the act or state of being betrayed), betrayer or traitor, and treachery. The verb can also describe unintentional reveal of feelings or weaknesses, as in a moment when behavior or physiology betrays someone. In literature and media, betrayal is a common device that motivates conflict and character development.