SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

in the picture

Definition of in the picture

:involved or playing a part in something :in the same situation or relationship

After their brief separation, her boyfriend is back in the picture.

Word by Word Definitions

picture play

: a design or representation made by various means (such as painting, drawing, or photography)
: a description so vivid or graphic as to suggest a mental image or give an accurate idea of something
: a mental image

: to paint or draw a representation, image, or visual conception of : depict
: to describe graphically in words
: to form a mental image of : imagine

See the full definition of picture

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up in the picture? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

euphony

play

pleasing or sweet sound

Words at Play

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'Spox' May Go On The Record

From newsroom lingo to the mainstream

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C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

For a myriad of reasons

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'Gamut' and 'Gambit' (and 'Gauntlet' Too)

Know when to use (or run) each.

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Some borrowed words don't get returned

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

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Original Meanings Quiz

A quiz for the pedantic and those annoyed by them!

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Dictionary Devil

Dictionary Devil

The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?

Play the game