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 film contrasts the picturesque Alpine scenery of Tyrol with the hopelessness and isolation of the people who live in this landscape involuntarily – rejected asylum seekers placed on top of the Bürglkopf mountain. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025

Viewers saw Kalybriah and Edmond spend a picturesque bluebird day snowmobiling in the mountains, courtesy of High Country Tours – only for the adventure to devolve into a fight. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

Further up the avenue, Claudie channels the South of France, complete with a bubbling fountain in its picturesque courtyard, while across the street, seductive spot Felice dishes up excellent pasta and tiramisu. —Sara Liss, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025

Rockport, Massachusetts, a seaside town located one hour north of Boston, is known for its fresh seafood and picturesque harbor. —Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 14 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