Other forms: portrayed, portraying, portrays
To portray is to show or describe somebody in a particular way. Portray him as a villain, accurately portrayed, portray the period.
It is about the version presented rather than the truth, which is why it takes as so readily: portrayed as reckless, portrayed as a hero. In acting it means playing a part. In painting it means making a likeness, which is the original sense. Note portrait, portrayal; and that the word comes from the French for drawing forth.
1verbportrayTo show or describe somebody in a particular way.
“The newspapers portrayed him as a hero, but his neighbours knew better.”
2verbplayTo play a part in a film or play.
“The actor who portrays the king had to learn to ride a horse.”
portray is a depicting.
Also accepted in games: depict
Middle French portraire is por- plus traire, to draw, from Latin trahere. Portrait, trace and tractor come from the same drawing.
Middle French
portraire
Middle English
portray
English, today
portray
From Middle English portray, from Middle French portraire.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA