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

Hattiesburg boasts more than 50 murals spread throughout the town, serving as a unique backdrop for holiday memories, shopping, tantalizing dining and picturesque events, like the annual Victorian Candlelit Christmas on Dec. 14 and 15. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Kate Hudson had a picturesque Thanksgiving in New York City this year, complete with friends, family and fall foliage. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024

This time, Andrews converted, and five plays later Jackson flung a picturesque 40-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, a turning point in the win. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024

Which cities are the most naturally beautiful? Queenstown, New Zealand, with its picturesque Kawarau River; Pamukkale, Turkey, with its white terraced pools; and Hallstatt, Austria, with its idyllic Alpine environs all get a shoutout below for their breathtaking natural scenery. —Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 26 Nov. 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