picturesque

adjective

pic·​tur·​esque ˌpik-chə-ˈresk 

1

a

: resembling a picture : suggesting a painted scene

b

: charming or quaint in appearance

2

: evoking mental images : vivid

picturesquely adverb

picturesqueness noun

Synonyms

• delineated
• graphic
• graphical
• pictorial
• visual
• vivid

Choose the Right Synonym for picturesque

graphic, vivid, picturesque mean giving a clear visual impression in words.

graphic stresses the evoking of a clear lifelike picture.

a graphic account of combat

vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something.

a vivid re-creation of an exciting event

picturesque suggests the presentation of a striking or effective picture composed of features notable for their distinctness and charm.

a picturesque account of his travels

Examples of picturesque in a Sentence

The view of the mountains was very picturesque.

wrote a picturesque tale of their journey across the country

Recent Examples on the Web

Situated on seven private acres of land, the picturesque property beckons to be explored. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024

Teacup takes place in a bucolic rural setting of green farmland and picturesque forest. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Napa Valley attracts almost 4 million wine enthusiasts a year thanks to its rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, and, of course, world-class wines—most notably its signature varietal, cabernet sauvignon. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024

Written by Ovid in Metamorphoses, this picturesque tale may have been a metaphor for the switch from female to male authority. —Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French & Italian; French pittoresque, from Italian pittoresco, from pittore painter, from Latin pictor, from pingere

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

picturesque

adjective

pic·​tur·​esque ˌpik-chə-ˈresk 

1

a

: resembling or suitable for a painted picture

a picturesque landscape

b

: charming, quaint

picturesque customs

2

: calling forth a striking mental picture

a picturesque story

picturesquely adverb

picturesqueness noun