portray

[ pawr-trey, pohr- ]
/ pɔrˈtreɪ, poʊr- /

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.

Origin of portray

1300–50; Middle English portrayen < Middle French portraire < 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

Example sentences from the Web for portrayed

British Dictionary definitions for portrayed

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, adjective portrayal, noun portrayer, 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