portrayed

American

[pawr-treyd] / pɔrˈtreɪd /

adjective

represented in drawing, painting, carving, or other visual image.

The range of artistic approaches to Queen Elizabeth, the most portrayed woman in the world, make the exhibit well worth seeing.
graphically described in words.

In the finely portrayed characters and vivid details of the rural setting, his novel illuminates a neglected piece of Jamaican history.
represented dramatically, as on the stage.

Set in a richly portrayed society well-stocked with eccentric nobles and gossipy villagers, the series revolves around the daughter of a respected country doctor.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of portray.

Other Word Forms

unportrayed adjective

Etymology

Origin of portrayed

portray ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

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.

Hurt made her film debut in Woody Allen’s 1978 drama, “Interiors,” where she portrayed the directionless would-be artist Joey opposite her more successful siblings Renata and Flyn, played by Diane Keaton and Kristin Griffith, respectively.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

But here, the dancers portrayed themselves as everyday people who expressed their feelings through movement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Alyson Hannigan, who portrayed Willow, shared: “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers … I love you.”

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

They jokingly portrayed the actor as superhuman, terrifying and god-like.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

During the war, the Adventures of Superman program had portrayed its hero fighting Hitler and Mussolini and Hirohito.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023