portray
gb/pɔɹtɹˈeɪ/ us/pɔɹtɹˈeɪ/
B1
English
~ 4400
ábrázol, bemutat, alakít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to portray [someone/something] as [adjective]
The painting portrays the king in his royal robes.
A festmény királyi díszruhában ábrázolja a királyt.
The novel portrays life in rural America during the 1930s.
A regény az 1930-as évek amerikai vidéki életét mutatja be.
She portrayed the detective as a lonely but brilliant man.
The documentary portrays the struggles of single parents.
The film portrays the city as a dangerous place.
Learner examples
The photo portrays a happy family.
A fotó egy boldog családot ábrázol.
This story portrays a young girl's dreams.
Ez a történet egy fiatal lány álmait mutatja be.
The movie portrays a hero who saves the town.
The artist portrays animals in nature.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'portray' with 'display'; 'display' means to show physically, while 'portray' means to represent through art or description.
Meaning
Represent in art or words
Collocations
portray a character
|portray accurately
|portray vividly
|portray realistically
Synonyms
depict (Often used for visual representation, but can also apply to written or spoken descriptions.)
|
illustrate (Focuses more on visual explanation, often in drawings or diagrams.)
Antonyms
conceal (To hide or not show something, the opposite of representing it openly.)
Themes
art
|media
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
To show what a person or thing looks like or is like in a picture, book, movie, or other work.
To depict someone or something in a work of art, literature, film, or other medium, either visually or through words.
VERB
B1
2
alakít
B1
Usage pattern:
to portray [a character] in [a production]
She portrayed Queen Elizabeth I in the historical drama.
A történelmi drámában I. Erzsébet királynőt alakította.
He has portrayed many villains during his career.
Pályafutása során sok gonosztevőt alakított.
The actor portrayed a war hero in the new film.
In the series, she portrays a dedicated doctor.
He portrayed Hamlet on stage last year.
Learner examples
She portrays a teacher in the movie.
Tanárt alakít a filmben.
He portrays a king in the play.
Királyt alakít a darabban.
The man portrays a hero in the story.
My sister portrays a nurse in the school drama.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'pretend' instead of 'portray' in acting contexts; 'pretend' is less formal and lacks the professional performance sense.
Meaning
Act the part of someone
Collocations
portray a role
|portray convincingly
|portray on stage
Synonyms
play (Commonly used in acting contexts to mean taking on a role.)
|
perform as (Emphasizes the act of performing rather than representing.)
Antonyms
misrepresent (To present inaccurately; in acting, it could mean failing to capture the essence of the role.)
Themes
entertainment
|acting
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
To act as a person or character in a movie, play, or show.
To act as a particular character in a play, film, television program, or other performance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
portray
IPA
GB/pɔɹtɹˈeɪ/
US/pɔɹtɹˈeɪ/
Syllables & stress
por - tray (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tray)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: portray
- 3rd Person Singular: portrays
- Present Participle: portraying
- Past: portrayed
Word family
Forms
portrays
verb
portraying
verb
portrayed
verb
Advanced or less common
portraiture
noun C1
portraitist
noun
Expressions
portray accurately
1/pɔɹtɹˈeɪ ˈækjɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
Show truthfully
To describe or show someone or something exactly as they are.
Examples
- The report portrays the situation accurately.
- The artist portrayed the scene accurately.
portray as
1/pɔɹtɹˈeɪ ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Show someone/something in a certain light
To show or describe someone or something as having particular qualities.
Examples
- The media often portrays him as a genius.
- The book portrays her as strong and independent.
portray in a positive light
1/pɔɹtɹˈeɪ ˈɪn ə pˈɑzɪtɪv lˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
Show someone/something favorably
To show or describe someone or something in a good way.
Examples
- The documentary portrays the community in a positive light.
- He tried to portray his actions in a positive light.