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 Now’s your chance, because the picturesque Northern California lodge where the late author and journalist Jack London loved to blissfully while away his days has just popped up for sale. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2024 The mountain lines are also picturesque as all get out, especially the Rhaetian Railway, which holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Ann Abel, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 With cabins located nationwide and stays starting at $109 per night (pending location, seasonality, and availability), a picturesque vacation is just a few clicks away. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2024 McQueen was stunning with its picturesque setting, further accentuated by wisps of smoke and the gentle play of beautiful lighting creating an enchanting ambiance. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for picturesque 

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 15 Oct. 2024.

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

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