portray

UK: /pɔː^rˈtreɪ/ US: /pɔrˈtreɪ/ ,(pôr trā′, pōr-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

por•tray /pɔrˈtreɪ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to make a portrait.
2. to describe in words, esp. in a certain way:
   In many TV commercials, fathers are portrayed as lovable but foolish.
3. to represent dramatically, as on the stage:
   the actor who portrayed Napoleon.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

por•tray  (pôr trā′, pōr-), v.t. 

1. to make a likeness of by drawing, painting, carving, or the like.
2. to depict in words;
   describe graphically.
3. to represent dramatically, as on the stage:
   He portrayed Napoleon in the play.

• Late Latin prōtrahere to depict, Latin: to draw forth, equivalent. to prō- pro-¹ + trahere to draw
• Middle French portraire
• Middle English portrayen 1300–50

por•tray′a•ble, adj. 
por•tray′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. picture, delineate, limn. See depict. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

portray / pɔːˈtreɪ/ verb (transitive)

1. to represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, etc; make a portrait of
2. to make a verbal picture of; depict in words
3. to play the part of (a character) in a play or film

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French portraire to depict, from Latin prōtrahere to drag forth, bring to light, from pro-¹ + trahere to drag

porˈtrayal noun

porˈtrayer noun