Portray — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /pȯr-ˈtrā/ por·tray

Meaning & Definition of Portray

Portray (verb)

  1. to make a picture of, depict
  2. to describe in a particular way
  3. to play the role of, enact

Portray (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give a representation or account of in words

    "the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness"

    similar: delineate, depict, describe, draw, image, limn, paint, picture, render, set out, sketch
    related: characterize, define, label, qualify, represent, demonstrate, illustrate, narrate, recite, recount, rehearse, relate, report, tell, display, exhibit, show, hint, suggest, draft, outline, silhouette, trace, vignette, summarize, sum up, touch off, redescribe, reimage
    near: color, distort, falsify, garble, misdescribe, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, twist, warp

  2. to point out the chief quality or qualities of an individual or group

    "traditionally, European authors portrayed the natives as wise and noble"

    similar: character, characterize, define, depict, describe, represent
    related: categorize, classify, pigeonhole, type, color, identify, indicate, name, specify, distinguish, individualize, mark, particularize, stamp

  3. to present a picture of

    "a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up"

    similar: depict, image, picture, represent
    related: delineate, describe, document, render, outline, silhouette, sketch, illustrate, show, diagram, caricature

  4. to present a portrayal or performance of

    "gained fame portraying Susan B. Anthony in a one-woman show"

    similar: act, do, impersonate, interpret, perform, play
    related: depict, dramatize, render, represent, act out, enact, pantomime, playact, role-play, take on, overact, overplay, underplay, ape, clown, ham, imitate, masquerade, mime, mimic, pose (as), star (in), coact, costar

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Portray

The most common words with a similar meaning to Portray:

delineate, depict, describe, draw, image, limn, paint, picture, render, set out, sketch, character, characterize, define, represent, act, do, impersonate, interpret, perform, play

Related Words for Portray

label, qualify, demonstrate, illustrate, narrate, recite, recount, rehearse, relate, report, tell, display, exhibit, show, hint, suggest, draft, outline, silhouette, trace, vignette, summarize, sum up, touch off, redescribe, reimage, categorize, classify, pigeonhole, type

Near Antonyms of Portray

color, distort, falsify, garble, misdescribe, misrepresent, misstate, pervert, twist, warp

Word Forms of Portray

Inflections: portrayed, portraying, portrays

Derived words: portrayer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Portray

Middle English portraien, purtrayen, purtreyen "to draw, paint, depict, decorate, form a mental image of," borrowed from Anglo-French purtraire "to represent (in drawing, painting, etc.), depict, decorate, plan" (also continental Old French pourtraire), from pur-, pour-, por-, prefix marking completion of an action (going back to Latin prō-, prefix denoting forward movement) + traire "to drag, pull, draw out, launch, shoot, trace, represent," going back to Latin trahere "to drag, draw, take along" pro-:2, abstract:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Portray

Frequently Asked Questions about Portray

What does "Portray" mean?

"Portray" means to make a picture of, depict. As a verb, it is defined as: to make a picture of, depict. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Portray"?

Other words for "Portray" include delineate, depict, describe, draw, image, limn, paint and picture. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Portray" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Portray"?

There are 85 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Portray". Common alternatives include delineate, depict, describe, draw, image, limn, paint, picture, render and set out.

How do you use "Portray" in a sentence?

Examples of "Portray" in a sentence: "the author portrays her characters with lifelike vividness"; "traditionally, European authors portrayed the natives as wise and noble"; "a landscape that portrays the scenery near the town where the painter grew up".

Is "Portray" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Portray" is a verb.

Is "Portray" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Portray" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Portray"?

"Portray" is pronounced /pȯr-ˈtrā/ and divided into syllables as por·tray.

What is the origin of the word "Portray"?

"Portray" comes from Middle English portraien, purtrayen, purtreyen "to draw, paint, depict, decorate, form a mental image of," borrowed from Anglo-French purtraire "to represent (in drawing, painting, etc.), depict, decorate, plan" (also continental Old French pourtraire), from pur-, pour-, por-, prefix marking completion of an action (going back to Latin prō-, prefix denoting forward movement) + traire "to drag, pull, draw out, launch, shoot, trace, represent," going back to Latin trahere "to drag, draw, take along" pro-:2, abstract:1. First known use: 14th century.