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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After making the long putt on the picturesque finishing hole on the shore of Lake Tahoe, Pavelski pumped his fist, hugged his son, Nathan, just off the 18th green, and later dove into the water. Staff, Mercury News, 13 July 2025 Be sure to make time to stop by picturesque lighthouses in locations like Pigeon Point (one of the tallest lighthouses in the U.S.) and Old Point Loma, which have gorgeous historic buildings and sweeping Pacific views. Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025 The sand here is dark like ink and stretches for six picturesque miles. AFAR Media, 11 July 2025 Dozens gathered in the doorway of an open hangar at Centennial Airport on Wednesday, watching as a first-of-its-kind electric plane touched down in front of a background of picturesque Colorado mountains and rolled into a press conference. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for picturesque

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/picturesque. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!