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portray. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
portray, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
portray in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
portray you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English portray, from Middle French portraire.
Pronunciation
Verb
portray (third-person singular simple present portrays, present participle portraying, simple past and past participle portrayed)
- To paint or draw the likeness of.
I will portray a king on horseback.
- (figuratively) To represent by an image or look.
c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. The First Part , 2nd edition, part 1, London: Richard Iones, , published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene ii:Upon his browes was pourtraid vgly death,
And in his eies the furies of his heart,
That ſhine as Comets, menacing reueng,
And caſts a pale complexion on his cheeks.
- (figuratively) To describe in words; to convey.
- To play a role; to depict a character, person, situation, or event.
For my next movie, I will be portraying Shakespeare.
- (obsolete) To adorn.
Related terms
Translations
to paint or draw the likeness of
figuratively: to describe in words
Anagrams