portray
paw-TRAY
Portray (verb) means to represent someone or something in a picture, film, or performance. Example: “The actor portrayed a struggling detective.”
verb
1
To represent someone or something in a picture, film, or performance.
"The actor portrayed a struggling detective."
"The mural portrays the town's founding."
"In the school play, Tom will portray an old fisherman."
2
To describe or depict in words.
"The article portrays him as reckless."
"The novelist portrays the countryside as lonely but beautiful."
"Newspapers often portray the new manager as strict yet fair."
How to use portray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo show or describe someone or something in a particular way, in art, film, or writing.
Common pairings
portray a character
portrayed as
portray accurately
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- portrays
- Past tense
- portrayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The actor _____ a struggling detective.
Etymology
From Middle French portraire, "to draw a likeness of."
Related words
Rhymes for portray
See all rhymes for portray →Frequently asked questions
What does “portray” mean?
The word “portray” means to represent someone or something in a picture, film, or performance. In plain terms, to show or describe someone or something in a particular way, in art, film, or writing.
How do you pronounce “portray”?
“Portray” is pronounced paw-TRAY (/poɹˈtɹeɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “portray” in a sentence?
Here is “portray” used in a sentence: “The actor portrayed a struggling detective.”
What part of speech is “portray”?
“Portray” is a verb.
Where does the word “portray” come from?
The word “portray” comes from Middle French. From Middle French portraire, "to draw a likeness of.".
Is “portray” a common word?
“Portray” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “portray” have?
“Portray” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to represent someone or something in a picture, film, or performance.
What is the difference between "portray" and "depict"?
Portray and depict are close synonyms both meaning to represent someone or something in a picture, film, performance, or words, and are largely interchangeable. "Portray" is used slightly more often for representing a person or character, especially in acting, while "depict" is common for scenes, events, or ideas.
What is the difference between "portray" and "play" a role?
An actor is said to "play" a role in the sense of performing it, while "portray" emphasizes how that character is represented or characterized, including tone and interpretation. So an actor plays a role but portrays a character in a particular way.
Can you "portray" something in writing, not just on screen?
Yes, portray also means to describe or depict in words, so a novel or article can portray a person or situation just as a film or painting can. The word applies to any medium that represents or characterizes its subject.
