picture

American  

[pik-cher] / ˈpɪk tʃər /

noun

1. a visual representation of a person, object, or scene, as a painting, drawing, photograph, etc..

   I carry a picture of my grandchild in my wallet.

2. any visible image, however produced.

   pictures reflected in a pool of water.

3. a mental image.

   a clear picture of how he had looked that day.

4. a particular image or reality as portrayed in an account or description; depiction; version.

5. a tableau, as in theatrical representation.

6. 1. a movie.

      He signed a three-picture deal to star in the new franchise.

   2. Older Use. pictures, movies collectively, as an art; cinema.

      So, you want to be in pictures?

7. a person, thing, group, or scene regarded as resembling a work of pictorial art in beauty, fineness of appearance, etc..

   She was a picture in her new blue dress.

8. the image or perfect likeness of someone else.

   He is the picture of his father.

9. a visible or concrete embodiment of some quality or condition.

   the picture of health.

10. a situation or set of circumstances.

    the economic picture.

11. the image on a computer monitor, the viewing screen of a television set, or a motion-picture screen.

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verb (used with object)

pictured, picturing

1. to represent in a picture or pictorially, as by painting or drawing.

   Synonyms:

   represent, draw, paint, delineate

2. to form a mental picture of; imagine.

   He couldn't picture himself doing such a thing.

3. to depict in words; describe graphically.

   He pictured Rome so vividly that you half-believed you were there.

   Synonyms:

   represent, draw, paint, delineate

4. to present or create as a setting; portray.

   His book pictured the world of the future.

picture British  

/ ˈpɪktʃə /

noun

1. 1. a visual representation of something, such as a person or scene, produced on a surface, as in a photograph, painting, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      picture gallery

      picture postcard

2. a mental image or impression

   a clear picture of events

3. a verbal description, esp one that is vivid

4. a situation considered as an observable scene

   the political picture

5. a person or thing that bears a close resemblance to another

   he was the picture of his father

6. a person, scene, etc, considered as typifying a particular state or quality

   the picture of despair

7. a beautiful person or scene

   you'll look a picture

8. a complete image on a television screen, comprising two interlaced fields

9. 1. a motion picture; film

   2. ( as modifier )

      picture theatre

10. a cinema or film show

11. another name for tableau vivant

12. informal to understand a situation

13. informed about a given situation

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verb

1. to visualize or imagine

2. to describe or depict, esp vividly

3. (often passive) to put in a picture or make a picture of

   they were pictured sitting on the rocks

picture Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing picture

• get the message (picture)
• in the picture
• pretty as a picture
• take a picture
• the picture

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Usage

Where does picture come from? A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words. But what about the word picture? We’re not going to write a thousand words on picture—although we could. Believe us when we say we could. So, here’s a briefer word picture (see what we did there?) on the origin of this versatile word. In its most general sense, a picture is a visual representation of something, especially in the form of a painting, drawing, photograph, or the like. A picture can also refer to a mental image, among other senses. One meaning of picture, as a verb, is “to represent something in a picture or pictorially”—pictorial being a related adjective form variously used to refer to pictures. The word picture entered English around 1375–1425, borrowed directly from the Latin word pictūra, “the act of painting, a painting.” The word is based on pict(us), the past participle of the verb pingere, meaning “to paint.” The verb could also mean “to draw, embroider, represent,” among other senses. The second part of pictūra is -ūra, a noun suffix represented as -ure in English. See our entry at -ure to learn more about this suffix. Dig deeperThe meaning of the word picture has been very stable in English. Just as it originally did in the late 1300s, a picture can still refer to a drawing or painting— whether it’s your kid’s crayon-scrawled family portrait on your fridge or Leonardo DaVinci’s Mona Lisa in the Louvre. Both are masterpieces, as far as we’re concerned. Please note, though, that when referring to formal or professional works, we often use the name of the medium (painting, photograph, film), with picture referring to more informal or amateur creations. But picture has also been remarkably adaptable, readily lending itself to images created by new technologies: photography, cinema, TV, and all the pictures we take on our smartphones and post on social media. The word movie—it’s easy to forget in an age of Netflix streaming and viral TikTok videos—is shortened from the phrase moving picture. And what are digital images composed of? Tiny pixels. That word is based on pix, a variant of pics, a common shortening of picture. A picture, we might say today, is worth (many) thousands of pixels.

Other Word Forms

• mispicture verb (used with object)
• picturable adjective
• picturableness noun
• picturably adverb
• picturer noun
• self-pictured adjective
• unpictured adjective

Etymology

Origin of picture

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin pictūra “the act of painting, a painting,” equivalent to pict(us) (past participle of pingere “to paint” ) + -ūra noun suffix; paint, -ure

Explanation

Use the verb picture if you want people to imagine something vividly in their minds. If your story about your principal and some chickens is descriptive enough, your friends can picture the whole incident. A picture is also a piece of art made by painting or drawing, like the pictures by famous artists you see in a museum. In a book, a picture is an illustration that accompanies the text, often in a child's picture book. You can also call a photograph a picture. Your dad might take so many pictures on vacation that it seems like you spent your entire childhood hiding from his camera.

Example Sentences

But her friend Anne-Marie says that when she visited, she got a different picture of Charmain's married life.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

If asked to picture Janet Jackson, one of three images likely comes to mind: “Rhythm Nation 1814” Janet, a revolutionary in a black uniform and cap, cutting the air with drill sergeant precision.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Gold is another metal that could catch a bid if the economic picture improves, especially if the dollar strengthens a bit.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

No clear picture has emerged yet about how badly jet fuel infrastructure in the region was hit after weeks of Iranian missile and drone strikes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

For a split second it occurred to me that the picture might actually be of her.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

Related Words

• account
• art
• cartoon
• copy
• depiction
• description
• drawing
• figure
• icon
• image
• impression
• painting
• photo
• photograph
• piece
• portrait
• portrayal
• print
• report
• sketch