portray meaning and definition

PORTRAY verb

Definition of portray (verb)

1. portray in words
   • "The book portrays the actor as a selfish person"
2. make a portrait of
   • "Goya wanted to portray his mistress, the Duchess of Alba"
   • synonyms: depict, limn
3. assume or act the character of
   • "She impersonates Madonna"; "The actor portrays an elderly, lonely man"
   • synonyms: impersonate
4. represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture
   • "The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this painting"
   • synonyms: present