portrayal

Language: en

🇬🇧 /pɔˈːtreɪəl/ 🇺🇸 /pɔˈrtreɪəl/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A depiction or representation of a person, character, or thing in art, literature, film, or other media.; A verbal or written description that presents someone or something in a particular way.; The act of performing or playing a role, especially in a dramatic production.; A visual representation such as a painting, drawing, or photograph of a subject.; A particular way in which someone or something is presented or characterized, often implying a subjective or biased perspective.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: portrayals

Collocations

accurate portrayalfair portrayalnegative portrayalmedia portrayalportrayal ofdramatic portrayal

Derivatives

portrayportrayerportrayedportraying

Synonyms

depictionrepresentationcharacterizationrenderingillustration

Commonly confused

portrait
EN: 'Portrait' refers to a physical image (painting, photo) of a person; 'portrayal' refers to the act or manner of depicting someone or something, often in words or performance.
portray
EN: 'Portray' is the verb (to depict or represent); 'portrayal' is the noun (the act or result of portraying).

Spelling tips

EN: Note the spelling: 'portray' + '-al' = 'portrayal' (not 'portrail' or 'portrayel'). The 'ay' is retained before the suffix.

💬 Examples

  1. The actor's portrayal of the villain was both terrifying and sympathetic.

  2. The book's portrayal of rural life in the 1930s was praised for its authenticity.

  3. Her portrayal of Lady Macbeth earned her a Tony Award nomination.

  4. The museum displayed a striking portrayal of the queen in her coronation robes.

  5. The media's portrayal of the protest as violent was disputed by eyewitnesses.