Portray Definition & Meaning

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"
  3. assume or act the character of; "She impersonates Madonna"; "The actor portrays an elderly, lonely man"
  4. represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture; "The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this painting"

"Portray" in song lyrics

See how portray is used in real songs:

  • "My style is negative like the image I portray"
    7L & Esoteric — Graphic Violence
  • "For all yall, Yo who try to portray"
    Armel f/ Timbo King — Destroy the Scenery Pt. 2
  • "No more stray, I know the mallets that they portray"
    Arsonists & Anomolies — Blacklisted

Usage tips for "portray"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "portray" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for portray to find words that pair well.

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