portrait

A painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, especially their face and shoulders.

• She painted my portrait.
• Several portraits hang in the hall.
• Who took this portrait of your father?

How to use it: a portrait of someone (The museum bought a portrait of the king.)

Common phrases: portrait of someone, paint a portrait, family portrait

A page position with the longer sides running from top to bottom.

• Print the document in portrait.
• I changed the page from landscape to portrait.
• Does this printer support portrait?

How to use it: in portrait (The report looks better in portrait.)

Opposites: landscape

Common phrases: in portrait, portrait orientation, portrait format, portrait layout

A description that clearly shows what a person, place, or situation is like.

• The book offers a portrait of village life.
• Her novels give vivid portraits of unhappy families.
• His essay presents an honest portrait of the city.

How to use it: a portrait of someone/something (The film gives a moving portrait of a lonely farmer.)

Similar words: depiction, portrayal, account

Common phrases: portrait of something, vivid portrait, honest portrait

Showing a real person’s appearance rather than an imagined perfect version.

• The museum displayed a portrait bust.
• These portrait statues show real rulers.
• The artist modeled a portrait sculpture of her father.

Common phrases: portrait bust, portrait statue, portrait sculpture