portrayed

American  

[pawr-treyd] / pɔrˈtreɪd /

adjective

1. represented in drawing, painting, carving, or other visual image.

   The range of artistic approaches to Queen Elizabeth, the most portrayed woman in the world, make the exhibit well worth seeing.

2. graphically described in words.

   In the finely portrayed characters and vivid details of the rural setting, his novel illuminates a neglected piece of Jamaican history.

3. represented dramatically, as on the stage.

   Set in a richly portrayed society well-stocked with eccentric nobles and gossipy villagers, the series revolves around the daughter of a respected country doctor.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of portray.

Other Word Forms

• unportrayed adjective

Etymology

Origin of portrayed

portray ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

In “Back to the Future,” Tolkan portrayed Vice Principal Gerald Strickland, who surveyed the school’s halls with a whistle around his neck and a tardy slip burning a hole in his pocket.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

He said that Autonomy, founded by Mr Lynch, had not accurately portrayed its financial position during the purchase, but even if it had, HPE would still have bought the company, but at a reduced price.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Alyson Hannigan, who portrayed Willow, shared: “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers … I love you.”

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

He would triumph again five years later with "Milk," in which he portrayed Harvey Milk, the San Francisco activist who became one of the first openly gay men elected to US public office.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Now, it seemed, Russia itself was being portrayed as a ‘primitive’ society, lodged in the Western mind as an archaic peasant culture.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• descriptive
• illustrated
• photographic
• visual
• vivid