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

Derived Forms

• porˈtrayer, noun
• porˈtrayable, adjective
• porˈtrayal, noun

Other Words From

• por·tray·a·ble adjective
• por·tray·er noun
• non·por·tray·a·ble adjective
• pre·por·tray verb (used with object)
• un·por·tray·a·ble adjective

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

Early Facebook co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who were portrayed in The Social Network by actor Armie Hammer, will executive-produce the film based on Mezrich’s as-yet-unwritten book.

From Quartz

Similar to some puzzle moments, several cutscenes split the screen in half to portray two worlds, with Marianne speaking to spirits who appear in one, and are invisible in the other.

From Washington Post

British code breakers’ eventual successes against Enigma — including those by mathematician Alan Turing loosely portrayed in the film “The Imitation Game” — were built on Rejewski’s breakthroughs.

From Washington Post

She becomes partner to Kang Hyun-Jo—portrayed by Ju Ji-Hoon, whose lead roles in the 2020 series Kingdom season 2 and Hyena garnered much attention.

From Time

Kerry’s former aides and others close to him denied that Wright accurately portrayed the former secretary of state’s stance.

From Vox

Once in power, they often hired gifted artists to portray them in flattering and benevolent poses.

From The Daily Beast

The Kremlin likes to portray these as sinister Western conspiracies.

From The Daily Beast

The results played right into the hands of those who wanted to portray the opposition as unreliable.

From The Daily Beast

The media and academics love to portray these voters as the typical independent when they represent less than half of them.

From The Daily Beast

She ended up praying with me and giving me her blessing to portray her Dad.

From The Daily Beast

John Dickinson saw the matter in the same light, a light which his superior abilities enabled him to portray in more lurid colors.

From Project Gutenberg

It was all very picturesque to portray one's hero as dying of disease; but in reality it was not at all satisfactory.

From Project Gutenberg

Imagination is tasked to its utmost stretch to portray sentiments and passions in the way that makes the deepest impression.

From Project Gutenberg

But in none of his stories did Alger ever portray a tougher background or give it a bigger skyrocket finish.

From Project Gutenberg

Liszt, bolder than Heine, makes the attempt to portray them, and writes like an inspired poet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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