# portray

> English word · Verb · IPA /pɔːˈtɹeɪ/ · frequency rank #12,477

## Definitions
1. To paint or draw the likeness of.
2. To represent by an image or look.
3. To describe in words; to convey.
4. To play a role; to depict a character, person, situation, or event.
5. To adorn.

## Etymology
From Middle English portray, from Middle French portraire.

## Easily confused with
- **portrayal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/portray-vs-portrayal)
- **porta** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/porta-vs-portray)
- **poetry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poetry-vs-portray)
- **portal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/portal-vs-portray)
- **Portia** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/portia-vs-portray)
- **Portman** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/portman-vs-portray)
- **portrait** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/portrait-vs-portray)

## Common misspellings (11)
`oprtray`, `porrtay`, `porrtray`, `portary`, `portrayy`, `portrray`, `portrya`, `porttray`, `potrray`, `pportray`, `protray`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/portray