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

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

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

But like the George Washington character he famously portrayed on “Saturday Night Live,” the measure and logic of his popularity is hard to quantify yet it’s oddly reasonable to the average American.

From Los Angeles Times

He starred in slickly produced government-created videos portraying the Border Patrol as warriors on a divine mission to make the City of Angeles safe from immigrant infidels.

From Los Angeles Times

But it said the ad "portrayed alcohol as being more important than personal relationships and a significant life event".

From BBC

The organisation said there had been a "surge in rhetoric that falsely portrays Muslims as terrorists or terrorist sympathisers" following the Israel-Gaza conflict and the spreading of misinformation after the Southport murders.

From BBC

He made numerous public appearances and Jets fans warmed to their new star after seeing how he was portrayed in the Hard Knocks series, which followed the Jets' training camp.

From BBC

Related Words

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