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

Bentley shies away from this, instead favoring depictions of Grainier’s picturesque solitude and brief, platonic connection with Claire after the loss of his faithful, loving family. —Rory Doherty, Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Hocking Hills, Ohio, is known for its soaring sandstone cliffs and picturesque waterfalls. —Adam Stone, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025

Authentic Après Enhance your après experience with a winery tour at Boyne Valley Vineyards and Burnt Marshmallow Brewstillery & Rudbeckia Winery—just two of 16 local vineyards in the picturesque Petoskey Wine Region. —Outside, 17 Nov. 2025

The region has long been famous not only for those picturesque hot-air balloons but also for its millennia-old cave dwellings. —Katie Kitamura, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025

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