portray
pronunciation
How to pronounce portray in British English:
UK [pɔːˈtreɪ]
How to pronounce portray in American English:
US [pɔːrˈtreɪ]
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- Verb:
- portray in words
- make a portrait of
- assume or act the character of
- represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, or verbally
Word Origin
- portray (v.)
- mid-13c., "to draw, paint" (something), from Anglo-French purtraire, Old French portraire "to draw, to paint, portray" (12c.), literally "trace, draw forth," from por- "forth" (from Latin pro-; see pro-) + traire "trace, draw," from Latin trahere "to drag, draw" (see tract (n.1)). Meaning "depict in words, describe" is from late 14c. Related: Portrayed; portraying.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Ethiopia is trying to portray its withdrawal as a success .
- 2. His pictures portray moods , most of which are dark .
- 3. Contrary to bush , obama is difficult to portray as an american infidel .
- 4. But it is a mistake to portray the hollande administration as socialist dinosaurs .
- 5. It is hard to portray google as a helpless start-up .