portrayal

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A description or picture that shows a person, group or event in a particular light, in a book, film or painting.

   Grammar: Takes of: a portrayal of grief.

   Patterns

   • a portrayal of someone
   • portrayal as something

   The novel offers a warm portrayal of village life.

   Critics objected to the film's portrayal of teenagers as lazy.

   Her portrayal of the old queen was moving.

2. 2nouncountable

   An actor's performance in playing a particular character.

   Grammar: Often used with a possessive: his portrayal of the detective.

   Patterns

   • someone's portrayal of someone

   He won an award for his portrayal of a retired boxer.

   The actor's portrayal made the villain almost sympathetic.

Word forms

Common combinations

accurate portrayal

Historians praised the accurate portrayal of the period.

sensitive portrayal

The series gives a sensitive portrayal of illness.

unflattering portrayal

She disliked the unflattering portrayal of her family.

media portrayal

Media portrayal of the town was unfair.

portrayal of

The portrayal of the hero changes over the story.

Synonyms and how they differ

depiction

Depiction is very close but often used for pictures and plain description, while portrayal leans toward interpretation or acting.

representation

Representation is broader and can mean standing for something, not only showing it vividly.

characterization

Characterization refers specifically to how an author builds a character, not to a whole scene or event.

Word family

portray verb

to show or play in art or acting

portrait noun

a painting or photo of a person

portraitist noun

an artist who makes portraits

Commonly confused: portrayal or portrait?

Practice

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