picturesque

adjective

pic·​tur·​esque ˌpik-chə-ˈresk How to pronounce picturesque (audio)
1
a
: resembling a picture : suggesting a painted scene
b
: charming or quaint in appearance
2
: evoking mental images : vivid
picturesquely adverb
picturesqueness noun
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 Other spots to make the most picturesque list include Telluride, Colorado, and Truckee, California, rounding out the top five. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2024 The Comal and Guadalupe rivers wind through town, giving a picturesque turn to the landscape, and the Gruene Historic District is filled with German architecture dating to the 19th century. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 Other posh amenities can be found amid the landscaped grounds, which span just over 1.5 acres and host a two-level swimming pool with a waterpark-quality slide, fire-pit, children’s playhouse and picturesque views of the surrounding Hill Country terrain. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Inspired by the staggering beauty and unmatched charm of the Sierra Nevada, Kingsbury Estates in the quaint picturesque town of Gardnerville in Nevada delivers beautiful homes, astounding views, and a relaxed atmosphere. Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Sleeping Bear Dunes is one such destination where sunbathing and sand castles are an everyday affair, and swims in aquamarine water offer a picturesque respite from the heat. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024 Yet, several couples received emails within the last week informing them of the sudden closure of the picturesque Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, a highly coveted Southern California wedding venue. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Residents in picturesque villages along the Italian Riviera have long had to put up with tourists stopping suddenly or parking inconsiderately in order to take photographs. David Nikel, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Its depiction of nature is picturesque, though perhaps a greater contrast or dichotomy between the real and the imaginary may have given Pema’s journey a sense of wonder or spiritual purpose. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'picturesque.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of picturesque was in 1703

Dictionary Entries Near picturesque

Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/picturesque. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

picturesque

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

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

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