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portray

[ pawr-trey ]
/ pɔrˈtreɪ /
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See synonyms for: portray / portrayed / portraying / portrays on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
to make a likeness of by drawing, painting, carving, or the like.
to depict in words; describe graphically.
to represent dramatically, as on the stage: He portrayed Napoleon in the play.
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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”

synonym study for portray

1, 2. See depict.

OTHER WORDS FROM portray

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use portray in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for portray

portray
/ (pɔːˈtreɪ) /

verb (tr)
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

Derived forms of portray

portrayable, adjectiveportrayal, nounportrayer, noun

Word Origin for portray

C14: from Old French portraire to depict, from Latin prōtrahere to drag forth, bring to light, from pro- 1 + trahere to drag
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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