portrayal
AmericanOther Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of portrayal
Explanation
If you like the way an actor played the role of Abraham Lincoln, you might praise his portrayal of the sixteenth president. Use the noun portrayal to describe the representation of someone, either in the form of a dramatic character, a spoken description, or even a photograph or painting of the person. You can also talk about the portrayal of an object or idea: "Dorothea Lange's photographs are an accurate portrayal of the Great Depression." The Old French word portraire, "to draw or trace," is the root of portrayal.
Vocabulary lists containing portrayal
Academy Awards, List 6
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Between Shades of Gray
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The Unmapped Sea
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Rheon said make-up artists used heavy moisturiser to portray characters sweating - with the actual weather conditions "changeable" at best - as they filmed the BBC portrayal of Liz Jensen's bestselling novel.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
The commission later also recommended a different portrayal of Trump for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin that it suggested making “as large as possible.”
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
The show, which aired from 1985 to 1990, was notable for the portrayal of its middle-class Black family.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026
His portrayal of a paleontologist suddenly discovering that the creatures he’s studied in rock and bone have come to life is just masterful.
From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026
Yet in its very portrayal, and in the lavish detail paid to its design, there was a certain false glitz, as though the entire exhibit were under a limelight.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Fiona admits Duchess' presence sometimes unsettled other dog owners, but is adamant the breed's muscular appearance, as well as media portrayals, are causing a harmful stigma.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
It’s a real role in the church, and while it’s not exactly like Hollywood portrayals, it’s not entirely dissimilar from the movies either.
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026
And although the film includes portrayals of many of the Jackson siblings, some also asked to be left out of the biopic, including Janet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
Some of these fears stem from science fiction portrayals of AI, while others are rooted in potential job displacement or ethical considerations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026
Fortunately, today’s scientists, historians, and art collectors have rediscovered and acknowledged her work for what it is: amazingly beautiful, accurate portrayals of insect metamorphoses and ecosystems.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
