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

Set at Oakwood Heights, a picturesque campus surrounded by Spanish moss and steeped in tradition, the school is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to a mysterious love offering from an anonymous donor, and students and faculty alike are determined to protect its legacy. —Peter White, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026

Rocky Mountaineer’s only three-day itinerary takes passengers on a different, but equally picturesque, route from Vancouver to Jasper. —Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026

Entering the foyer, two large windows frame the picturesque landscape ahead of a floating stairwell. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026

Schedule a tour of the distillery in the morning, then take the short drive to Dunluce Castle, one of the most picturesque castles in the country. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 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