How to pronounce portrayal
Say it like por-TRAY-ul. Portrayal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce portrayal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- por
- TRAY
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Portrayal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- porKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of portrayal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: paw-TRAY-ul.
What does portrayal mean?
- a word picture of a person's appearance and character
- acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture
- a representation by picture or portraiture
Where does portrayal come from?
From portray + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with portrayal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of portrayal.
Questions about saying portrayal
How do you pronounce portrayal?
Say por-TRAY-ul. The American pronunciation is /pɔrˈtreɪəl/. In British English it is /pɔːˈtreɪəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in portrayal?
Portrayal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAY). Broken into parts: por · TRAY · ul.
Is portrayal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /pɔːˈtreɪəl/ (paw-TRAY-ul).