Words / C1

por-TRAY/pɔːˈtreɪ/

To portray is to show or describe in a particular way: portrayed as a success, portray a character. Depict (already in the dictionary) is a close twin; describe is everyday; misrepresent is the dishonest cousin. Do not portray an empty methods cell as streamlined.

Meaning

To show or describe someone or something in a particular way.

Examples

• “Do not portray an empty methods cell as “streamlined”.”
• “Describe is everyday. Depict is visual or literary. Represent (already in the dictionary) can be official. Portrayal is the noun. Spin in a press note is still a portrayal — and still checkable against the appendix.”

Good to know

Depict (often with a slant). Everyday: describe. Close: depict / represent (already in the dictionary). Spin still meets the CSV.

Near in meaning

depict

New