Portrait

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpɔːtɹɪt/, rare IPA: /ˈpɔːtɹeɪt/
• US IPA: /ˈpɔɹtɹɪt/, rare IPA: /ˈpɔɹtɹeɪt/

Alternative forms

• pourtraict obsolete

Origin

From Middle French portraict, pourtraict, nominal use of the past participle of portraire ("portray"), from Latin prōtrahō.

Full definition of portrait

Noun

1. A painting or other picture of a person, especially the head and shoulders.
• Sir J. ReynoldsIn portraits, the grace, and, we may add, the likeness, consists more in the general air than in the exact similitude of every feature.
2. (figuratively) An accurate depiction of a person, a mood, etc.The author painted a good portrait of urban life in New York in his latest book.
3. (computing, printing) A print orientation where the vertical sides are longer than the horizontal sides.

Related terms

• portray

Antonyms

• (print mode or selection) landscape
• (print mode or selection) profile

Verb

1. (obsolete) To portray; to draw.

Adjective

1. Representing the actual features of an individual; not ideal.a portrait bust; a portrait statue----