1 picturesque | Definition of picturesque

picturesque

adjective
pic·​tur·​esque | \ ˌpik-chə-ˈresk How to pronounce picturesque (audio) \

Definition of picturesque

1a : resembling a picture : suggesting a painted scene
b : charming or quaint in appearance
2 : evoking mental images : vivid

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Other Words from picturesque

picturesquely adverb
picturesqueness noun

Synonyms for picturesque

Synonyms

delineated, graphic (also graphical), pictorial, visual, vivid

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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 institute was founded in 1962 by Stanford alums Michael Murphy and Richard Price on picturesque land owned by Murphy’s family. — Wallace Baine, SFChronicle.com, "What’s next for the Esalen Institute?," 5 Sep. 2019 The poignant displays, though common following a tragedy, showed the impact of the fire on Santa Barbara, a picturesque community of historic buildings, hilltop mansions and pristine beaches. — Washington Post, "Memorials show California community’s grief over boat fire," 5 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'picturesque.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of picturesque

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for picturesque

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

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More Definitions for picturesque

picturesque

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of picturesque

: very pretty or charming : like a painted picture
: telling about something in a way that makes it very easy to imagine : causing someone to have a very clear mental picture of something

picturesque

adjective
pic·​tur·​esque | \ ˌpik-chə-ˈresk How to pronounce picturesque (audio) \

Kids Definition of picturesque

: suggesting a painted scene in being very pretty or charming a picturesque mountain view

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