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

Australia’s richest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, has reportedly called for the National Gallery of Australia to remove her portrait from display. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 May 2024

The collection spans from the earliest surviving color photo of a member of the royal family to the Queen Mother's personal copy of Queen Elizabeth's coronation portrait from 1953 to Andy Warhol's glittering portrait of the Queen in 1985 and one of Kate Middleton's 40th birthday portraits. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French, from past participle of portraire

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