portray

[pawr-trey]

verb (used with object)

1. to make a likeness of by drawing, painting, carving, or the like.

   Synonyms: limn, delineate, picture

2. to depict in words; describe graphically.

   Synonyms: limn, delineate, picture

3. to represent dramatically, as on the stage.

   He portrayed Napoleon in the play.

portray

/ pɔːˈtreɪ /

verb

1. to represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, etc; make a portrait of

2. to make a verbal picture of; depict in words

3. to play the part of (a character) in a play or film

Other Word Forms

• portrayable adjective
• portrayer noun
• nonportrayable adjective
• preportray verb (used with object)
• unportrayable adjective
• portrayal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of portray¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English portrayen, from Middle French portraire, from Late Latin prōtrahere “to depict,” Latin: “to draw forth,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + trahere “to draw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of portray¹

C14: from Old French portraire to depict, from Latin prōtrahere to drag forth, bring to light, from _pro- ¹ + trahere to drag

Synonym Study

See depict.

Example Sentences

She portrayed herself as a loud and proud champion of ordinary people looking at the worst Westminster behaviour in disgust.

From BBC

She says that when a story portrays a community without including the real voices of people from the community, its risks becoming skewed and imbalanced.

From BBC

In the film, a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low,” Washington portrays a music mogul who is targeted for a ransom demand.

From Los Angeles Times

Scrub a little of the humor from the script, and it’s basically a West Coast version of “The Pitt,” using familiar sitcom props and set-ups to portray the many facets of systemic failure.

From Salon

I can tell you from having daughters — because most times it’s portrayed as the girls are loving for the boys.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• characterize 
• depict 
• describe 
• illustrate 
• interpret 
• paint 
• render