noun

portrait

/ˈpɔːrtrət/ · say it: POR·trit

a representation of a particular person

In Arts & Culture

In more detail

1. (noun) a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, especially of their face

2. (noun) a description or representation of something in words or pictures

Examples

1. She hung a portrait of her grandmother on the wall.
2. The documentary offers a portrait of life in the countryside.

How to use portrait

Portrait typically refers to a visual representation, most commonly of a person's face or head, in painting, drawing, or photography. It can also mean a verbal or written description that vividly captures something's character or nature. The word carries a formal, artistic tone and often implies careful or skilled execution.

Common phrases

paint a portrait
sit for a portrait
family portrait
self-portrait
portrait painter
portrait gallery

Synonyms

likeness · image · representation · depiction · sketch

Word family

portraitist (noun) · portraiture (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use portrait to mean any photograph or image, but portrait specifically suggests a purposeful, detailed representation—often posed—rather than a casual snapshot or general picture.

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