portrait
Americannoun
-
a likeness of a person, especially of the face, as a painting, drawing, or photograph.
a gallery of family portraits.
-
a verbal picture or description, usually of a person.
a biography that provides a fascinating portrait of an 18th-century rogue.
adjective
noun
-
-
a painting, drawing, sculpture, photograph, or other likeness of an individual, esp of the face
-
( as modifier )
a portrait gallery
-
-
a verbal description or picture, esp of a person's character
adjective
Other Word Forms
- portraitlike adjective
Etymology
Origin of portrait
1560–70; < Middle French: a drawing, image, etc., noun use of past participle of portraire to portray
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.
This Netflix documentary revisits the 2022 murder of a talented athlete, with director Marina Zenovich creating a sensitive portrait of the life lost and the grief of others in its wake.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Much of this squares with Mencken’s character portrait of the “booboisie,” the unthinking type of American whose numbers seem to have exploded in recent decades, perhaps in interaction with contemporary historical events.
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026
The video also showed Kim presenting Lukashenko with a large mosaic vase bearing a portrait of the Belarusian, with the North Korean leader appearing to explain that crafting it involved around 30 seashells.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
In 2024 it announced that its next notes, due from 2027, would not feature a portrait of King Charles, instead opening the door to local artists to propose fresh designs.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
Instead he will continue living with his aunt Lisa and uncle Morris, who will, only a little begrudgingly, trade in the lumpy couch for a bed, over which your portrait will hang.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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.
