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

Noun

• definition
• delineation
• depiction
• description
• picture
• portraiture
• portrayal
• rendering
• sketch
• vignette

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

This portrait of a chef who moved from Japan in the 1970s delivers a generous helping of warm and fuzzy feels, as its subject faces challenges with determination and celebrates the daily joy of creating beautiful bites. —Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Some portraits explore sexuality more overtly than others, but all can be read in the spirit of the exhibition. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025

Adjective

The small park behind Tahrir Square has been divided by tents, one of which has become a steadily expanding portrait gallery with photographs of those who have been killed by the security forces. —Alissa J. Rubin, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2020

Yet for all the darkness, there’s a welcome and important dose of levity too, from a hilarious video of a beauty products fair by María Luisa Bemberg to Regina Vater’s playful, costumed self-portrait photographs. —New York Times, 4 July 2018

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

1570, 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