picturesque
Americanadjective
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visually charming or quaint, as if resembling or suitable for a painting.
a picturesque fishing village.
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(of writing, speech, etc.) strikingly graphic or vivid; creating detailed mental images.
a picturesque description of the Brazilian jungle.
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having pleasing or interesting qualities; strikingly effective in appearance.
a picturesque hat.
adjective
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visually pleasing, esp in being striking or vivid
a picturesque view
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having a striking or colourful character, nature, etc
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(of language) graphic; vivid
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of picturesque
First recorded in 1695–1705; from French pittoresque, from Italian pittoresco ( pittor(e) painter 1 + -esco -esque ), with assimilation to picture
Explanation
You could describe a particularly pretty scene as picturesque. But save it up for a view that's so gorgeous you'd love to have it framed on the wall as a painting. Picturesque is an adjective used to describe something with strikingly pleasing or vivid qualities — a scene so picture-perfect that you feel an impulse to reach for your camera or double check to make sure it's real. A view of the pristine shoreline on a summer’s day, a grandfather and grandson reading a book together, or a charming old farm cottage could all be called picturesque.
Vocabulary lists containing picturesque
Words to Describe a Place
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"Called Out" by Barbara Kingsolver
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"Tested by a Picturesque Dystopia"
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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.
Burlington, about 20 miles west of Hartford, is a wealthy, picturesque town of fewer than 10,000 people tucked among rolling hills.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
In one of the living spaces, an artistic arched window provides a picturesque view of the property’s gardens—serving almost as a natural art piece in the space, which also boasts a cozy fireplace.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
Swift owns a home in the US state of Rhode Island, a picturesque coastal location for a summer wedding.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
The oil painting “Approaching Storm” captures the kind of picturesque scene that would get fine artist Paul Grimm work in early Hollywood.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
The snow is melting, and white rapids splash against picturesque rocks, and spring gives the late afternoon a sweet yellow light.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
