dɪˈpɪkt ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt lɪm pɔɹˈtɹeɪ portray in words The book portrays the actor as a selfish person make a portrait of Goya wanted to portray his mistress, the Duchess of Alba represent abstractly, for example in a painting, drawing, or sculpture The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this painting assume or act the character of She impersonates Madonna The actor portrays an elderly, lonely man