portray C1 Topic:Actions & Processes US /poːˈtɹæ̝ɪ̯/ UK /pɔːˈtɹeɪ̯/ See IPA manual Freq #22606 Meanings 1 verb To describe or represent someone or something in a particular way. The article portrays him as a heartless businessman. 2 verb To play the role of a character in a film or play. She portrays a struggling artist in her latest movie. 3 verb To paint or draw a picture of someone or something. The artist chose to portray the queen on horseback. Verb forms Verb forms are not available for this word yet. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to describe or represent... depictpresent 2 verb · to play the role of a... impersonate 3 verb · to paint or draw a picture... depict Word family Forms portrayedportrayingportrays Derived forms misportrayportrayableportrayeeportrayerportrayist Related forms portraitportrayal Etymology AI details From Middle English portray, from Middle French portraire. portray Middle English portraire Middle French View etymology graph -> Topics Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # portray **Type:** Word **Level:** C1 **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /poːˈtɹæ̝ɪ̯/ **IPA (UK):** /pɔːˈtɹeɪ̯/ **Frequency rank:** 22606 ## Meanings 1. To describe or represent someone or something in a particular way. 2. To play the role of a character in a film or play. 3. To paint or draw a picture of someone or something. ## Examples - The article portrays him as a heartless businessman. - She portrays a struggling artist in her latest movie. - The artist chose to portray the queen on horseback. ## Derived Forms - misportray - portrayable - portrayee - portrayer - portrayist ## Related Forms - portrait - portrayal ## Roots and Affixes - Root: portray - Root: portraire ## Etymology From Middle English portray, from Middle French portraire. ## AI Etymology Portray is from Middle English portray, from Middle French portraire. In present-day use, it can mean to describe or represent someone or something in a particular way, or to play the role of a character in a film or play. Derived formations include misportray, portrayable, portrayee, portrayer, and portrayist. ## Topics - Actions & Processes - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown