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

The Annecy Festival has long been the most important date on the international animation calendar, unfolding on the picturesque shores of Lake Annecy in France each summer. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024

Tucked away in picturesque urban postcards, behind Piazza Castello, or just a stone’s throw from the Columns of San Lorenzo, Milan’s vintage boutiques are a must-visit destination for those who experience fashion in Milan. —Selene Oliva, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024

Honen-in Across town, in the Higashiyama district, the Philosopher’s Walk is a pedestrian path along the picturesque Lake Biwa Canal. —Paula Deitz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024

For those seeking a more scenic route, Chicago is also home to more than 600 parks and 26 miles of picturesque shoreline, including 29 beaches and the marvelous 18-mile Lakefront Trail. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024

Outdoors, the grounds are dotted with Italian stone pines, and host a summer kitchen, several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining, and picturesque vistas overlooking the park-like Arroyo Seco and Colorado State Bridge. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024

Ever dream of working from the picturesque Amalfi Coast? —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024

Bhang is a fairly common sight, even beyond the picturesque Himalayan valleys. —Arbab Ali & Nadeem Sarwar, Saveur, 18 Apr. 2024

But the most picturesque course might be 18-hole Stone Canyon Club north of Tucson, which was ruggedly designed by architect Jay Morrish. —Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 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