portrait

[pawr-trit, -treyt, pohr-]

noun

1. a likeness of a person, especially of the face, as a painting, drawing, or photograph.

   a gallery of family portraits.

2. a verbal picture or description, usually of a person.

   a biography that provides a fascinating portrait of an 18th-century rogue.

adjective

1. Digital Technology.,  relating to or producing vertical, upright orientation of computer or other digital output, with lines of data parallel to the two shorter sides of a page or screen. Compare landscape.

portrait

/ -treɪt, ˈpɔːtrɪt /

noun

1. 1. a painting, drawing, sculpture, photograph, or other likeness of an individual, esp of the face

   2. ( as modifier )

      a portrait gallery

2. a verbal description or picture, esp of a person's character

adjective

1. printing (of a publication or an illustration in a publication) of greater height than width Compare landscape

Other Word Forms

• portraitlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of portrait¹

1560–70; < Middle French: a drawing, image, etc., noun use of past participle of portraire to portray

Example Sentences

But the testimony at Wednesday’s hearing painted a darker portrait.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A nice Stetson was nearby for when it was time to take his portrait.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

What sprouts up is a portrait of devotion, love and respect, of time passing and roles reversing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Winchester Mansion of Sound” is another portrait of a fellow musician.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It opens with portraits of two troubled characters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• account 
• characterization 
• depiction 
• figure 
• image 
• likeness 
• model 
• painting 
• photograph 
• picture 
• portrayal 
• profile 
• silhouette 
• sketch 
• snapshot 
• vignette