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

He will go into this election portraying himself as a safe pair of hands in an increasingly uncertain world.

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The traditional view of early Earth portrays a barren planet until plants appeared about 500 million years ago.

Read more on Science Daily

This biography astutely portrays how “Diggs’s personal failures and weaknesses” counterbalanced his impressive professional strengths and prematurely ended a career of no little significance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was announced on Monday that Mr Taylor, who was unhappy about the way his character was portrayed, had been successful in his claim.

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It specifies that individuals of a certain race shouldn’t be portrayed as inherently racist, “whether consciously or unconsciously.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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