portray
Americanverb
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to represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, etc; make a portrait of
-
to make a verbal picture of; depict in words
-
to play the part of (a character) in a play or film
Related Words
See depict.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of portray
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”
Explanation
When you paint a picture of someone, either in words or in paint, you portray them. Actors portray characters too. Whether you're talking about acting or another art form, the idea is the same: representing a person and bringing to light their most important qualities. To portray a person is to show who that person is, giving a sense of their personality or character. Often, famous people don't like how they're portrayed. For example, Presidents usually hate how they're portrayed in editorial cartoons. When you portray someone, you can be positive or negative, accurate or inaccurate. It's up to you.
Vocabulary lists containing portray
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 4
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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.
With his position, his seat in Parliament, such a country house as Portray Castle, and the income which she would give him, there was nothing that he might not reach!
From The Eustace Diamonds by Trollope, Anthony
Some people remembered that during the last autumn he and his wife had stayed three months at Portray Castle, and declared that the friendship between them and Lady Eustace had been very useful.
From Phineas Redux by Trollope, Anthony
They would not reach their own station till eight, and then again there would be the journey to Portray.
From The Eustace Diamonds by Trollope, Anthony
But Frank was determined to leave Portray very early on the following day, and therefore wrote a note to his cousin.
From The Eustace Diamonds by Trollope, Anthony
A confidential clerk was sent down to Portray, but the confidential clerk altogether failed in making his way into Lizzie's presence.
From The Eustace Diamonds by Trollope, Anthony
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.
