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 of picturesque

• vivid
• graphic
• descriptive

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

On March 4, the Utah Department of Safety said that two women had been found dead on a hiking trail near Torrey, Utah, the gateway community for the picturesque park. —Frederick Dreier, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026

There are also a number of aforementioned on-site activities kids will enjoy; the thrilling and picturesque zipline course is most ideal for children (or the child within). —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026

Not only is the lighthouse a picturesque sight, but the park is the ideal spot for hiking, fishing, and swimming and sunbathing on the sandy beach in summer. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026

The wildflower meadow covers four acres in a picturesque array of plants, providing a haven for wildlife. —Elle Meier, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1705, 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