Word
Definitions
01picture of a person
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, usually showing their face and shoulders.
n. a representation of a specific person, typically focusing on the face and expression.
Español:retrato
“The artist spent three weeks painting a portrait of the mayor.”
“The gallery features a striking portrait of the queen, captured in a rare moment of informal reflection rather than formal ceremony.”
Antonyms
02page orientation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. a way of printing or showing a page where the top and bottom are shorter than the sides.
n. a mode of printing or display in which the vertical dimension is greater than the horizontal dimension.
“Please print the document in portrait so the text fits correctly on the page.”
“The software defaults to portrait orientation for standard letters, though users can toggle to landscape for wider spreadsheets.”
Usage
Often used in contrast with 'landscape' mode.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03detailed description
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a detailed description of a person or a situation in a book or film.
n. a detailed verbal or cinematic description or analysis of a person or subject.
“The book provides a moving portrait of life in a small village.”
“The documentary offers a nuanced portrait of the composer, balancing his professional triumphs against his turbulent personal life.”
Synonyms
04vertical format
B2 · Upper Intermediate Printing Technical
adj. describing something that is taller than it is wide.
adj. relating to or being a format that is taller than it is wide.
“The photographer took several portrait shots of the tall building.”
“The designer opted for a portrait layout to emphasise the height of the fashion model in the advertisement.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “portrait” in context.
Verb
01. commission portrait
“The university decided to commission a portrait of the retiring dean.”
verb + noun
02. paint portrait
“He was commissioned to paint a portrait of the company's founder.”
verb + noun
03. portrait depicts
“The portrait depicts a young woman holding a single red rose.”
noun + verb
04. portrait hangs
“A large oil portrait hangs above the fireplace in the dining room.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. flattering portrait
“The biographer was accused of painting an overly flattering portrait of the dictator.”
adj + noun
06. formal portrait
“The gallery features a formal portrait of the Queen in her coronation robes.”
adj + noun
07. intimate portrait
“The documentary provides an intimate portrait of the artist's private life.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. portrait gallery
“We spent the afternoon wandering through the national portrait gallery.”
noun + noun
09. portrait orientation
“Please print the document in portrait orientation rather than landscape.”
noun + noun
10. a self-portrait of the artist
“The exhibition includes a famous self-portrait of the artist as a young man.”
11. capture a likeness in portrait
“The painter struggled to capture a true likeness in the portrait.”
12. paint a bleak portrait of
“The report paints a bleak portrait of the current state of the healthcare system.”
Real-World Examples
“However, the portrait of Donald Trump, created shortly after he exited office in 2021, has yet to be publicly revealed for several reasons.” “A sitting was not an option, so the portrait is based on a 1997 photograph by Kathy Willens of The Associated Press.” “For more than 150 years, Supreme Court justices have gathered for a portrait when a new court forms, sitting for dozens of remarkably similar photos that unfurl a history of the judicial branch dating back to the 1860s.” “Portraiture stands apart from other genres of art as it marks the intersection between portrait, biography and history.” Etymology
From Middle French portraict, pourtraict, nominal use of the past participle of portraire (“portray”), from Latin prōtrahō (< prō- + trahō). Compare typologically English drawing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Published by B.W. Huebsch, New York.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man · 1918-01-01 · Modernist fiction, künstlerroman
- Author:
- James Joyce
James Joyce’s 1916 novel follows the intellectual and religious growth of Stephen Dedalus as he navigates his youth in Ireland. The title reflects the book's role as a detailed psychological study, tracing the protagonist's development into a creative individual. By providing an intimate look at Stephen's internal life, the story serves as a literary representation of a developing soul.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/portrait
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0