portrait

1 of 2

noun

por·​trait ˈpȯr-trət 

-ˌtrāt

1

: picture

especially : a pictorial representation of a person usually showing the face

2

: a sculptured figure : bust

3

: a graphic portrayal in words

portrait

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a rectangular document having the vertical dimension longer than the horizontal dimension

switching from landscape to portrait mode

compare landscape sense 3

Synonyms of portrait

Noun

• description
• depiction
• portrayal
• picture
• sketch

Examples of portrait in a Sentence

Noun

The queen posed for her portrait.

The book presents a portrait of life in a small town.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The restaurant is named for American artist John Singer Sargent, a painter who specialized in portraits and landscapes during the late 1800s and early 1900s. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026

First-time filmmaker Colette Ghunim´s nuanced and intimate portrait of her Mexican/Palestinian roots, ‘Traces of Home,’ exec produced by Melissa Barrera and John Leguizamo, bowed at DOC NYC. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The Mini 13's design lends itself to vertical, portrait orientation photos. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026

An event that was particularly impactful for families was the portrait day, Thomas said. — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French pourtraict, portraict "image, representation," going back to Old French portret, noun derivative from past participle of pourtraire "to represent, depict" — more at portray

Adjective

from attributive use of portrait entry 1; so called because such a format is customarily used for portraits

First Known Use

Noun

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1975, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing portrait

• self-portrait

Kids Definition

portrait

1 of 2 noun

por·​trait ˈpōr-trət 

ˈpȯr-, 

-ˌtrāt

1

: a picture of a person usually showing the face

2

: a portrayal in words

portrait

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, or being a rectangular document having the vertical dimension longer than the horizontal dimension

printed in portrait mode

compare landscape