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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | portraire, from Latin protrahere 'to draw out, show' |
1 to describe or show someone or something in a particular way, according to your opinion of them [= depict]: 
Romantic artists portrayed nature as wild and powerful.The President likes to portray himself as a friend of working people.
portray somebody/something as something
Romantic artists portrayed nature as wild and powerful.The President likes to portray himself as a friend of working people.2 to describe or represent something or someone [= depict]: His most famous painting portrayed the death of Nelson. Religion was portrayed in a negative way.
His most famous painting portrayed the death of Nelson.Religion was portrayed in a negative way.3APT to act the part of a character in a play, film, or television programme [= play]: She portrays a dancer in the hit film.
She portrays a dancer in the hit film.
