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Synonyms

pic

1 American  
[pik] / pɪk /

noun

Slang.
pix, plural pics plural
  1. a movie.

  2. a photograph.


pic 2 American  
[peek] / pik /
Or pique

noun

Piquet.
  1. the scoring of 30 points in the declaration of hands and in the play before one's opponent scores a point.

  2. the bonus of 30 points won for so scoring.


pic British  
/ pɪk /

noun

  1. informal a photograph, picture, or illustration

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of pic1

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening from picture

Origin of pic2

< French: literally, prick

Explanation

A pic is a photo or a snapshot. When you're visiting the Statue of Liberty, you might hand your camera to a stranger and ask if they'll take your pic. Use the informal pic as a slang term for picture. Your selfie-obsessed friend might insist on snapping pics of himself everywhere he goes, while your grandma might proudly show of the pics of her grandchildren she keeps in her wallet. You can also call a movie a pic. This word might sound fairly modern, but it's been around since the 1880s — not too long after photography was invented.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, who has 10 Michelin stars, has prepared a menu for Adenot that includes lobster bisque and foie gras.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Behind her back, Epstein seems to have been far from complimentary, sending another contact a link to a newspaper article about Ferguson, with the comment: "Pic of F from Friday not the prettiest sight."

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

The menu includes blue lobster and crab followed by Bresse poultry and a gratin of cep mushrooms prepared, respectively, by French chefs Anne-Sophie Pic and Yannick Alléno.

From Washington Times • Sep. 20, 2023

In 1959, Mr. Levine and his brother sold the bedspread company and went to work at Pic ’N Pay.

From Washington Post • Apr. 10, 2023

"Pic, the St. Leger's in your pocket," said Sir Robert, as he shook him heartily by the hand.

From Fast as the Wind A Novel by Gould, Nat

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