picturesque

adjective

pic·​tur·​esque ˌpik-chə-ˈresk How to pronounce picturesque (audio)
1
a
: resembling a picture : suggesting a painted scene
b
: charming or quaint in appearance
2
: evoking mental images : vivid
picturesquely adverb
picturesqueness noun
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 Mid-coast Maine Fall is our favorite time to visit this picturesque region, when the pace slows and the Atlantic Ocean shimmers. Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023 But Reymont was also in parts wonderfully evocative in his picturesque descriptions of characters, down to their costumes and mannerisms. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2023 As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, the picturesque 7-acre spread long owned by the late TV and film actress Mary Tyler Moore has just popped up for sale in the coastal town of Greenwich, asking nearly $22 million. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2023 Everything about this Upper West Side apartment checked the boxes for Phoebe Lifton and her partner, Arthur Cañedo: the proximity to grocery stores, parks and restaurants, the picturesque street views of trees blooming. Jess Eng, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023 Who can blame her for wanting to finally ship the overworked ethnic-family jokes, tired cultural references and forced zaniness from the Chicago suburbs to the picturesque homeland of the title? Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023 San Diego boasts a vast coastline, a vibrant cultural scene, and a thriving economy; however, underneath this picturesque facade lies an infrastructure challenge that demands our immediate attention. Rebuild Socal, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023 Loop Around The Thread LaGrange's newest attraction is a 29-mile environmentally sensitive, non-motorized, multipurpose trail designed for walking, running, and biking along downtown's squares, historic cemeteries, recreation parks, and picturesque neighborhoods. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2023 Outdoors the resort-like grounds overlook picturesque city lights and mountain views, and host a grassy lawn, pool with a spa and separate shallow pool, and several spots ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'picturesque.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of picturesque was in 1703

Dictionary Entries Near picturesque

Cite this Entry

“Picturesque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/picturesque. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

picturesque

adjective
pic·​tur·​esque ˌpik-chə-ˈresk How to pronounce picturesque (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on picturesque

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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