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Portrayal: meaning, definitions and examples

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portrayal

 

[ pɔːˈtreɪəl ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

in art

The action or skill of depicting someone or something in a work of art or literature.

Synonyms

depiction, interpretation, rendering, representation

Examples of usage

  • Her portrayal of the character was truly captivating.
  • The artist's portrayal of the landscape was incredibly realistic.
Context #2 | Noun

in media

The representation of someone or something in a particular way, especially in order to create a particular impression.

Synonyms

characterization, depiction, portraying, representation

Examples of usage

  • The media's portrayal of the event was biased.
  • His portrayal in the documentary was inaccurate.
Context #3 | Verb

general

To depict or represent someone or something in a work of art or literature.

Synonyms

depict, interpret, render, represent

Examples of usage

  • The artist portrayed the beauty of the sunset in her painting.
  • The author portrayed the struggles of the main character effectively.

Translations

Translations of the word "portrayal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 retrato

🇮🇳 चित्रण

🇩🇪 Darstellung

🇮🇩 penggambaran

🇺🇦 зображення

🇵🇱 przedstawienie

🇯🇵 描写 (びょうしゃ)

🇫🇷 représentation

🇪🇸 representación

🇹🇷 tasvir

🇰🇷 묘사

🇸🇦 تصوير

🇨🇿 zobrazení

🇸🇰 zobrazenie

🇨🇳 描绘 (miáohuì)

🇸🇮 upodobitev

🇮🇸 lýsing

🇰🇿 суреттеу

🇬🇪 აღწერა

🇦🇿 təsvir

🇲🇽 representación

Etymology

The word 'portrayal' originated from the Middle French word 'portraire', which means 'to depict'. The concept of portraying someone or something has been integral to art and literature throughout history. Artists and writers use portrayal to capture the essence of their subjects and convey emotions, stories, and messages. The term has evolved to also encompass the representation of individuals or events in media, highlighting the power of perception and interpretation in shaping narratives.

See also: portray, portrayable, portraying.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,905, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.