portrait

/ˈpɔrtrɪt/
/ˈpɔtreɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: portraits

A portrait is a portrayal of a person, usually showing the person's face (but not always). A portrait can be a painting, a photograph, an ink drawing, a sculpture — or even a description in words or in a film.

Portrait is a term often used when talking about artwork. Go to an art museum, especially one that has a historic collection, and you'll likely see many portraits hanging on the walls. Formal portraits were commissioned by wealthy people throughout history. A portrait can also be a written description of someone's appearance or character. If you describe your Mom in such detail that everyone can imagine what she's like, you've created a portrait of her.

Definitions of portrait
  1. noun
    any likeness of a person, in any medium
    “the photographer made excellent portraits”
    synonyms: portrayal
    see moresee less
    types:
    half-length
    a portrait showing the body from only the waist up
    self-portrait
    a portrait of yourself created by yourself
    type of:
    likeness, semblance
    picture consisting of a graphic image of a person or thing
  2. noun
    a word picture of a person's appearance and character
    synonyms: portraiture, portrayal
    see moresee less
    type of:
    characterisation, characterization, delineation, depiction, picture, word picture, word-painting
    a graphic or vivid verbal description
Pronunciation
US
/ˈpɔrtrɪt/
UK
/ˈpɔtreɪt/
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Word Family

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