portrait

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "portrait" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "portrait" to describe a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person, typically showing the face and shoulders. For example, "The painting was an oil portrait of a woman wearing a pink dress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More likely this is a generalised – and bleak – portrait of humanity at its best and worst.

The Guardian - Arts

Merkel kicked off her day with a speech to a joint session of parliament in the royal gallery, which is decorated with the Daniel Maclise portrait of the meeting of the Duke of Wellington and the Prussian field marshal Blücher before the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.

The Guardian

For the pop up project, In return for having their portrait taken, the local women could receive either 20 dirams (£2) or an original print.

The Guardian - Arts

A Robin Williams shoot in a hotel room in central London was going disastrously: the interview had run over, there was little or no time for the portrait, and Williams was bouncing around the place amusing the numerous publicity people and assistants.

The Guardian - Arts

Her account of the first Observer commission, which was a portrait of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, is classic Jane: concise, self-deprecating and modestly assured.

The Guardian - Arts

His portrait of the composer was the most celebrated of his early career.

The Guardian

The New York Times called the report "a portrait of depravity that is hard to comprehend and even harder to stomach".

The Guardian

A superb screenplay, co-written by Odets, was the launchpad for Alexander Mackendrick's vividly achieved portrait of obsession and betrayal.

The Guardian - Film

So crowded with offspring was the family portrait that the former Pennsylvania senator even carried one infant on his shoulders.

The Guardian

As Jane would say: "We had fun, didn't we?" The previous autumn, Rebecca Nicolson, editor of the Observer magazine, had teamed me up with Jane for weekly interviews: my words on the left of the spread, a full-page black-and-white portrait by her on the right.

The Guardian - Arts

It's to make the case that this metadata paints a very revealing portrait of oneself".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "portrait", be specific about the medium (painting, photograph, sculpture) and the subject's pose, expression, and setting to create a vivid image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "portrait" to describe a horizontal image or page layout. "Portrait" specifically refers to a vertical orientation, while "landscape" is used for horizontal layouts.

Linguistic Context

The word "portrait" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a representation of a person, often the face. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a painting, photograph, or other artistic depiction. Examples show its use in describing artistic works and representations of individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Arts

30%

Film

15%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Books

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "portrait" is a versatile noun primarily used to describe a visual representation of a person, often a painting or photograph. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including art, news, and literature, as evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig. While primarily functioning as a noun, "portrait" also features in discussions describing art, photography, and literary descriptions. The term maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, and it appears frequently in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

photograph

A picture made using a camera.

likeness

Focuses on the resemblance to the subject.

painting

Specifically refers to a picture created with paint.

representation

Emphasizes the act of depicting something or someone.

depiction

Highlights the manner in which something is portrayed.

image

A general term for a visual representation.

visual representation

A broader term that encompasses various forms of depicting something visually.

sketch

Refers to a rough or quick drawing.

drawing

A picture made with lines.

character study

Highlights the depth and analysis of the subject's personality.

FAQs

How can I use "portrait" in a sentence?

You can use "portrait" to describe a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person, such as "The museum displayed a striking "portrait" of Queen Elizabeth I."

What is the difference between a "portrait" and a "profile"?

A "portrait" typically shows the face and shoulders of a person, while a "profile" shows the subject from the side. A "portrait" emphasizes the face, while a profile emphasizes the outline of the face and head.

What words are similar to "portrait"?

Similar words include "likeness", "representation", "depiction", and "image". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "portrait" be used to describe something other than a person?

While primarily used for people, "portrait" can also describe a detailed representation of a place or situation, such as "The novel paints a vivid "portrait" of urban life in New York."