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

The Hermoso producer, 38, documented the picturesque Italian cooking class the couple attended in honor of Gomez’s 34th birthday, in a new TikTok video shared on Wednesday, July 22. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

There are about 700 penguins at the colony in the picturesque coastal town in the South Island, and 500 more at another nearby. — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Of all the picturesque routes in America, however, few compare to the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in California. — Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Henningsvær Bryggehotell, built on the harbor in one of Lofoten's most picturesque villages, offers waterfront suites overlooking the marina and easy access to galleries, kayaking and fishing excursions. — Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 21 July 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