portraitist

noun

por·​trait·​ist ˈpȯr-trə-tist How to pronounce portraitist (audio)
-ˌtrā-
: a maker of portraits

Examples of portraitist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not one of the portraits captures her, and that’s because her portraitists, though highly skilled, are highly compromised. — Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026 Renowned Spanish genre painter and portraitist Raimundo de Madrazo’s paintings of people will be on display. — Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026 Her activity as a portraitist, the subject of one section of the exhibition, flourished and would continue throughout her long life, reflecting her numerous ties to artistic and literary circles. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 Instead, the expert believes that the gifted portraitist and Turner contemporary John Opie painted the 24-year-old artist in circa 1799. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for portraitist

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French portraitiste, from portrait portrait entry 1 + -iste -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of portraitist was in 1857

Browse Nearby Words

portrait bust
portraitist
portrait lens
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Portraitist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portraitist. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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