WordWeb Online

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

Derived forms: portrayed, portrays, portraying

Type of: act, interpret, play, represent