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

• vivid
• graphical
• 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 Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is located two miles west of the Sol Duc Falls Trailhead, a short hike through old-growth rainforest that leads to a picturesque three-pronged waterfall. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the shores of Lake Michigan features miles of sand beach, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna, towering bluffs, an island lighthouse, coastal villages, picturesque farmsteads and more. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Both got to celebrate their big day at the picturesque Sanctuary golf course in Sedalia, against the backdrop of the fairways and snow-capped mountains. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025

On a picturesque morning in late July, the rapper Aminé is perched at a cobalt-blue dining table in his airy Hollywood home. —Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025

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

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