picturesque

[pik-chuh-resk]

adjective

1. visually charming or quaint, as if resembling or suitable for a painting.

   a picturesque fishing village.

2. (of writing, speech, etc.) strikingly graphic or vivid; creating detailed mental images.

   a picturesque description of the Brazilian jungle.

3. having pleasing or interesting qualities; strikingly effective in appearance.

   a picturesque hat.

picturesque

/ ˌpɪktʃəˈrɛsk /

adjective

1. visually pleasing, esp in being striking or vivid

   a picturesque view

2. having a striking or colourful character, nature, etc

3. (of language) graphic; vivid

Other Word Forms

• picturesquely adverb
• picturesqueness noun
• unpicturesque adjective
• unpicturesquely adverb
• unpicturesqueness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of picturesque¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; from French pittoresque, from Italian pittoresco ( pittor(e) painter ¹ + -esco -esque ), with assimilation to picture

Word History and Origins

Origin of picturesque¹

C18: from French pittoresque (but also influenced by _picture ), from Italian pittoresco, from pittore painter, from Latin pictor

Synonym Study

Picturesque, graphic, vivid apply to descriptions that produce a strong, especially a visual, impression. Picturesque is a less precise term than the other two. A picturesque account, though striking and interesting, may be inaccurate or may reflect personal ideas: He called the landscape picturesque. A graphic account is more objective and factual: it produces a clear, definite impression, and carries conviction. A vivid account is told with liveliness and intenseness; the description is so interesting, or even exciting, that the reader or hearer may be emotionally stirred.

Example Sentences

To outsiders, founder life might appear joyless—young people chasing their fortunes in one of America’s most picturesque cities without taking time to explore it, living on prepackaged meals eaten hunched at their computers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On their recent expedition at a cattle farm overlooking a picturesque bay, Scmack detected a possum living in a hollow tree on a hillside.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Indeed, they are some of the most picturesque examples in the Netherlands, and easy to get to from Amsterdam.

Read more on BBC

Alongside the Spanish colonial homes, the scene is a picturesque look into wealth, opulence and superfluity that only a select few Angelenos can afford.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The picturesque sunrises and sunsets create a calm, relaxing vibe.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beautiful 
• charming 
• colorful 
• pleasant 
• quaint 
• scenic