What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
picture
Example
I took a picture of the sunset at the beach. [picture: noun]
Example
She likes to paint pictures of flowers and landscapes. [pictures: plural noun]
portrait
Example
The artist painted a portrait of the queen. [portrait: noun]
Example
He had his portrait taken for his new job ID card. [portrait: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Picture is more commonly used than portrait in everyday language. Picture is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while portrait is less common and has a more specific use.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between picture and portrait?
Portrait is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while picture can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in terms of formality.
