portray

[pawr-trey]

verb (used with object)

1. to make a likeness of by drawing, painting, carving, or the like.

   Synonyms: limn, delineate, picture

2. to depict in words; describe graphically.

   Synonyms: limn, delineate, picture

3. to represent dramatically, as on the stage.

   He portrayed Napoleon in the play.

portray

/ pɔːˈtreɪ /

verb

1. to represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, etc; make a portrait of

2. to make a verbal picture of; depict in words

3. to play the part of (a character) in a play or film

Other Word Forms

• portrayer noun
• portrayal noun
• portrayable adjective
• nonportrayable adjective
• preportray verb (used with object)
• unportrayable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of portray¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of portray¹

C14: from Old French portraire to depict, from Latin prōtrahere to drag forth, bring to light, from _pro- ¹ + trahere to drag

Synonym Study

See depict.

Example Sentences

Russian commentators portrayed the proposed meeting in Budapest as a slap in the face for Brussels.

Read more on BBC

Cable news, whose viewpoint is portrayed by journalist and producer Soledad O’Brien, swoops in to cover this latest culture war flare-up.

Read more on Salon

He is, as he says himself, “a low-key guy,” so Hall gave him some exercises to help him portray more extreme emotions and prepare him for when other cast members might do the same.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I always was interested in doing another ‘Star Wars,’” Driver, who portrayed the dark-side warrior in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, told the Associated Press.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He asked that the U.S. drop the idea of tariffs as they would hurt Colombians and give Petro “a pretext to portray himself as a victim.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• characterize 
• depict 
• describe 
• illustrate 
• interpret 
• paint 
• render