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

The estate’s outdoor spaces are equally inviting, with covered walkways winding through the picturesque grounds and connecting a deep oval swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, and a bocce court. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026

What to do nearby My walk to Compo Beach along the golf course’s winding paths and then through a picturesque neighborhood of shiplap homes took just under 30 minutes at a brisk pace. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

The stretch of track along the San Clemente shoreline has long offered picturesque views of sandy beaches and lapping ocean waves for passengers traveling between Los Angeles and San Diego. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Manhattan’s Upper East Side is famously picturesque, but never is its charm offensive stronger than a weekday morning in early fall. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 8 Oct. 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