verb
portray
paw-TRAY
verb
1
To represent someone or something in a picture, film, or performance.
"The actor portrayed a struggling detective."
"The mural portrays the town's founding."
2
To describe or depict in words.
"The article portrays him as reckless."
How to Use Portray
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo show or describe someone or something in a particular way, in art, film, or writing.
Common pairings
portray a character
portrayed as
portray accurately
Word Forms
portrayed past tense, portrays singular
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The actor _____ a struggling detective.
Etymology
From Middle French portraire, "to draw a likeness of."