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

Beautiful beaches, palm trees and picturesque homes — that were impossible to see behind a thick haze. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 1 May 2025

The venue blends old-world charm with modern luxury, offering multiple dining environments, a vast rare tequila collection, a solarium, and picturesque gardens. —Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

It's nestled in the heart of Georgia’s picturesque wine country near Dahlonega, which boasts a storied history as one of the country's first gold rush towns. —Kimberley Mok, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025

The location, framed by the picturesque Sixth Street Viaduct, was chosen with scale and style in mind. —Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025

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