Portray: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used when talking about how an actor performs a specific character in a play or film, or how someone describes or shows someone or something in a particular way.

• She portrayed a strong, independent woman in the movie
• The artist portrayed the scene of the battle using dark colors

Use this word when you want to describe or show something in a particular way, often in terms of art or writing. It is frequently used in more formal or literary contexts.

• The painting depicts a serene landscape with mountains in the background
• The novel depicts the struggles of the working class

This word is broader and can be used in various contexts to mean showing, standing for, or symbolizing something or someone. It is typically used in both formal and informal scenarios.

• The flag represents the country’s history and values
• She was chosen to represent her school at the national competition

This phrase is commonly used when someone physically demonstrates a scene, often in a dramatic way, such as in a play or role-playing exercise.

• The children acted out their favorite story in the school play
• He loves to act out different characters during his theater class

Used to describe how someone represents a person or character, usually in a piece of art, literature, or performance. It often focuses on the accuracy and manner of representation.

• The actor managed to portray the complex emotions of the character brilliantly
• The novel portrays life in the 18th century with great attention to detail

Often used in visual contexts such as paintings, drawings, or descriptive writing to describe how something or someone is represented or shown.

• The mural depicts scenes from the local community's history
• The artist depicts the struggles of urban life in his series of paintings

Used to describe the process of creating a representation or interpretation, usually in a specific medium such as digital art, painting, or 3D modeling. It suggests transformation from one state to another.

• The graphic designer will render a 3D model of the proposed building
• The software can render photorealistic images from basic sketches

Typically used when providing visual representations that clarify or emphasize key points, often seen in educational materials, books, and presentations. Can also be used metaphorically to highlight or explain a concept.

• The textbook includes diagrams to illustrate complex biochemical processes
• Her anecdotes helped illustrate the points she was making in her speech

Used primarily in visual arts or media to describe how someone or something is shown or depicted, can also mean to describe a character in a certain way in writing.

• The artist decided to portray the king with a crown
• In the book, the author portrays the hero as a brave and kind man

Commonly used in writing and speech to provide a detailed explanation or account of someone or something.

• Can you describe the suspect to me? The guidebook describes the city as bustling and vibrant

Often used in visual art and literature to illustrate or show details concerning people, scenes, or events in a vivid manner.

• The mural depicts a historical event in great detail
• In the poem, the landscape is depicted with beautiful imagery

Used to indicate standing for something or symbolizing it, often changing or simplifying the original context; can be used in arts, mathematics, or general descriptions.

• The painting represents the artist’s struggle with identity
• In algebra, the letter 'x' represents an unknown value