What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
describe
Example
Can you describe the suspect's appearance? [describe: verb]
Example
She described the sunset as breathtakingly beautiful. [described: past tense]
portray
Example
The artist portrayed the subject with great attention to detail. [portrayed: past tense]
Example
The movie portrays the struggles of a young couple in a big city. [portray: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Describe is more commonly used than portray in everyday language. Describe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while portray is more specific and often used in the context of art, literature, or media.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between describe and portray?
Both describe and portray can be used in formal and informal contexts, but describe is generally considered more neutral and formal, while portray can have a more artistic or creative connotation.
