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

Main Street, without any screenings at the picturesque Egyptian Theater, wasn’t particularly crowded. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

The luxury train operates year-round stopping at picturesque destinations across the country, including in Kent, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, and Surrey. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026

But Goldsworthy deplores the city dweller’s notion of the countryside as a picturesque escape. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Small balconies glance upon the terracotta-and-lemon-colored canal homes, a picturesque way to start each day with a little caffè. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 9 Feb. 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