pic·to·ri·al
pik-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 
1
: of or relating to a painter, a painting, or the painting or drawing of pictures
pictorial perspective
2
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of pictures
pictorial records
b
: illustrated by pictures
pictorial weekly
c
: consisting of or displaying the characteristics of pictographs
d
: suggesting or conveying visual images
pictorial poetry
pictorialness
noun
: a periodical having much pictorial matter
Synonyms of pictorial
Examples of pictorial in a Sentence
Adjective
a pictorial record of the trip
that photojournalist is planning to do a primarily pictorial report on the famine in Africa
Recent Examples on the Web
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Rather than allowing its typical lightness, Benning layers their brushstrokes purposefully so as to establish new kinds of relationships, both pictorial and material.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
By 2010, the magazine was essentially family entertainment compared to the tidal wave of online smut, so a peek-a-boo pictorial of half-naked cybergals didn't seem so risqué.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pictorial
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Adjective
Emerald Fennell’s pictorial talents — her ability to conjure images of striking, almost fantastical beauty — mesh remarkably well with the twisted, heated emotions of Brontë’s novel.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Rather than allowing its typical lightness, Benning layers their brushstrokes purposefully so as to establish new kinds of relationships, both pictorial and material.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Gibson, then 34, saw the pictorial in a classy, peekaboo way and even had a clothing budget.
—Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
By 2010, the magazine was essentially family entertainment compared to the tidal wave of online smut, so a peek-a-boo pictorial of half-naked cybergals didn't seem so risqué.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pictorial
Cite this Entry
“Pictorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pictorial. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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