portrait
/ˈpɔː.trɪt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A portrait is a picture, photograph, or painting of a person, especially the face and shoulders. It is made to show what someone looks like.
- She hung a portrait of her grandmother.
- The artist painted a portrait of the king.
- My passport needs a clear portrait photo.
Adinary Nuance
A portrait focuses on one person, or sometimes a small group, and shows their appearance. A picture is more general and can be anything. A photo is usually a photograph, while a portrait can be a painting or photo. Writers choose portrait when the subject is a person and the goal is to capture identity or expression.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chân dung
- Spanish
- retrato
- Chinese
- 肖像
- Japanese
- 肖像
- Korean
- 초상화
Etymology
Portrait came into English in the late 1500s from French portrait, meaning 'a representation'. It goes back to Latin protrahere, meaning 'to draw out' or 'bring forth'.
Common phrases
a portrait of someonepaint a portraitportrait photoself-portrait
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a portrait and a photo?
- A photo is any photograph. A portrait is a photo or painting of a person, usually a face or upper body.
- Is portrait only used for paintings?
- No. It can mean a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person.
- What is a self-portrait?
- A self-portrait is a portrait that the artist makes of themself.
- Is portrait common in academic English?
- Yes, especially in art, history, and design topics.