portray

verb

USpor-TRAY/pɔɹˈtɹeɪ/Saypaw-TRAYUK/pɔːˈtɹeɪ/AUS/poːˈtɹæɪ/

Formsportrays, portraying, portrayed

5 meanings of portray

1
verbtransitive
To act as a character, or to show a person or event in a film, play, or story.
Like putting on a costume and becoming someone else for a while.
She will portray a young queen in the new play.
Actors often portray people very different from themselves.
Similarplay, depict, dramatize, enact, act
2
verbfigurativelytransitive
To describe something in words so others can picture or understand it.
Like painting a picture with words instead of paint.
Reporters often portray the city as dangerous, but locals disagree.
His memoir portrays his father as a kind but distant man.
Similardepict, describe, present, paint, characterize
3
verbfigurativelytransitive
To show or stand for something through a picture or image.
Like how a heart shape can stand for love.
The painting portrays freedom as a bird in flight.
Many old maps portray distant lands with strange creatures.
Similardepict, represent, show, illustrate
Note
4
verbtransitive
To paint or draw a picture that looks like a real person or thing.
Like drawing a friend so well that others know who it is.
The artist will portray the duke on horseback.
She portrayed her grandmother in soft watercolors.
Similardepict, paint, draw, represent, picture

Less common meaning

5
verbobsolete
To decorate something, making it more beautiful.
Note

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Origin

This word came from an old French word "portraire," through Middle English.