picturesque

adjective pic·tur·esque \ ˌpik-chə-ˈresk \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: picturesque in a Sentence

Definition of picturesque

1 a : resembling a picture : suggesting a painted scene

b : charming or quaint in appearance

2 : evoking mental images : vivid

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picturesquely

adverb

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picturesqueness

noun

See picturesque defined for English-language learners

See picturesque defined for kids

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 of picturesque from the Web

Another picturesque Hill Country brewery is Vista Brewing, located just south of Jester King in Driftwood, the town better known for The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que restaurant.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Father’s Day pairs best with a great beer," 14 June 2018
The slide also added 15 acres to California’s picturesque coastline.

— hailey branson-potts, latimes.com, "Pacific Coast Highway south of Big Sur to reopen by end of July, officials say," 13 June 2018
Schools all over the Philadelphia region are struggling with funding, and even Chesterfield, New Jersey, a picturesque suburb on the rise, can’t get its finances together.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Temple tackles rare heart transplant, Lower Merion public garden at risk | Morning Newsletter," 13 June 2018
He was seen slow-dancing with it to Simply the Best at the W Hotel in D.C. — a picturesque scene with the Washington Monument in the background — according to Sports Illustrated‘s Alex Prewitt.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Here's Alex Ovechkin slow-dancing with the Stanley Cup," 13 June 2018
In the picturesque southern New Hampshire town of New Boston, a few Republicans express unease with President Trump’s brash – critics would say authoritarian – rhetoric in relation to the Russia investigation.

— christa case bryant, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why Trump fans largely shrug off president's 'authoritarian' talk," 11 June 2018
Located on the island’s southeastern coast, the reserve was a picturesque place where visitors could hike, bird-watch, fish or kayak.

— caroline simon, USA TODAY, "Puerto Rico small businesses get a helping hand after Hurricane Maria," 8 June 2018
Toomey's guests pay between $2,000 and $6,000 for her cathartic workouts with options for beachside massages and picturesque hikes in spots like Mustique and Mexico.

— kelli kennedy, chicagotribune.com, "From celeb trainer workouts to cruises, 'wellness travel' is booming - and bringing in big money," 7 June 2018
The resort takes full advantage of its location on the picturesque lake, with many cabins and rooms boasting views from wrap-around porches and walls of windows.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cable is one of Wisconsin's best trail towns," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'picturesque.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of picturesque

French & Italian; French pittoresque, from Italian pittoresco, from pittore painter, from Latin pictor, from pingere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1703

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

picturesque Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

PICTURESQUE Defined for English Language Learners

picturesque

adjective

Definition of picturesque for English Language Learners

: very pretty or charming : like a painted picture
: telling about something in a way that makes it very easy to imagine : causing someone to have a very clear mental picture of something