portray
Americanverb
-
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
Related Words
See depict.
Other Word Forms
- nonportrayable adjective
- portrayable adjective
- portrayal noun
- portrayer noun
- preportray verb (used with object)
- unportrayable adjective
Etymology
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”
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.
Indeed, as the authors point out, Mr. De Niro’s co-star Al Pacino was 77 while portraying a 47-year old Jimmy Hoffa in the film.
After all, Vance had really just wanted to highlight religion, it would have made a little more sense to portray mysterious flying objects as angels, not demons.
From Salon
This contemporary era of American lunar investment has frequently been portrayed as an effort in competition with China, which is currently aiming to land humans on the Moon by 2030.
From Barron's
And the production has a significant asset in the stage veteran Jessica Hecht, who portrays the chief teller, Colleen, a role Mr. Guirgis has wisely expanded.
In “Back to the Future,” Tolkan portrayed Vice Principal Gerald Strickland, who surveyed the school’s halls with a whistle around his neck and a tardy slip burning a hole in his pocket.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
