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
Words nearby 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, nounWord 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