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

Photo : Will Myers A thatched cabana beside the pool overlooks picturesque mountain vistas. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2025

The Cost: $50 per night Book It On Hipcamp The Inn at Benton Hot Springs Location: Benton Hot Springs, California Hot springs are the reason the picturesque almost ghost town of Benton continues to exist. —Jenna Blough, Outside Online, 8 Apr. 2025

The estate building is 3,000 square-feet, and it is located on eight acres of picturesque land. —Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Get Outside Enjoy The Outdoors At Audra State Park West Virginia is known for its natural beauty, and there’s no finer example than this state park, which has picturesque trails and views of the Middle Fork River. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025

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