Portray is a verba word that shows an action, state, or identity that can mean to act as someone, to show someone or something in art, to create a portraita picture or painting of a person’s face or body of a person, or to describeto explain what someone or something is like using words a person or thing in words.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /pawr-TREY/
Easy pronunciation: por-TRAY (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: tray.
Use this for the sense meaning to show or describe someone or something in a certain way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Portray Meaning
to show or describe someone or something in a certain way
Part of speech: verb
Definition: represent someone or something in art or writing, or describe them in a particular way
Example: The book portrays the actor as selfish and ambitious.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- depict — A strong substitute when portraying someone in words or art.
- present — Works when the sense is showing someone in a particular way, though it is broader than portray.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Portray
Meaning 2
to act as a character
Part of speech: verb
Definition: assume or act the character of
Example: In the play, she portrays an elderly woman who lives alone.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- impersonate — Can work when the meaning is acting as or taking on a character, though it often suggests imitation.
Meaning 3
to paint or draw a person
Part of speech: verb
Definition: make a portrait of
Example: Goya wanted to portray the Duchess of Alba in a new painting.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- depict — Can fit this art sense, though it is less exact than when it means making a portrait.
- limn — A literary word that can mean to depict or draw, but it is uncommon.
Meaning 4
to represent something in a picture or artwork
Part of speech: verb
Definition: represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture
Example: The artist portrayed the father as a proud and successful man in the painting.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- present — Can work when art is showing something in a certain form, but it is general and not always a direct substitute.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Portray Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- depict
assume or act the character of
- impersonate
make a portrait of
- depict
- limn
represent abstractly in art
- present
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Portray in a Sentence
- The actor portrays an elderly, lonely man
- The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this painting
- Goya wanted to portray his mistress, the Duchess of Alba
- The book portrays the actor as a selfish person
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse portray with portrait: portray is a verb, while portrait is a noun.
- In everyday English, portray usually means 'describe or show as' more often than 'paint a portrait of'.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does portray mean?
Portray means to show, describe, or represent someone or something in a certain way. It can also mean to act as a character or to paint a person.
What is a simple synonym for portray?
A simple synonym is depict, especially when portray means to show or describe someone or something.
Can portray mean act as a character?
Yes. In that sense, portray means to play or act the role of someone, such as in a film or play.
Is portray the same as portrait?
No. Portray is a verb. Portrait is a noun meaning a picture of a person.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.