scenic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to natural scenery.
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having pleasing or beautiful scenery.
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of or relating to the stage or to stage scenery.
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representing a scene, action, or the like.
noun
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a photograph, graphic representation, etc., depicting natural scenery.
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a scenic tour.
to arrange scenics in advance.
adjective
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of or relating to natural scenery
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having beautiful natural scenery
a scenic drive
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of or relating to the stage or stage scenery
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(in painting) representing a scene, such as a scene of action or a historical event
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of scenic
1615–25; < Latin scēnicus < Greek skēnikós theatrical. See scene, -ic
Explanation
Something scenic is lush and beautiful to look at, like a mountain range. A pretty sight can be called a beautiful scene, and you can refer to amazing, gorgeous sights as scenic. Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon are two of the most scenic landmarks in the world; that's why so many tourists go to see them. A drive through the country, with open fields, farm life, and mountain ranges is scenic. Scenic sights are natural. You need to get out of the city or suburbs to get a scenic view.
Vocabulary lists containing scenic
Words to Describe a Place
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In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
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Words to Describe Places
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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.
Instead, the pair had fun shopping and took a scenic boat tour in nearby Winter Park, Fla. Wales was somewhat disappointed by the motel-like resort they were assigned, but added, “it wasn’t the worst place.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
The area is a peaceful, scenic beachfront community on the northwest coast of Maui, according to real estate company Hawai’i Life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Competition is fierce for professional photographers at Beijing's tourist hotspots, including a scenic lake where women in flowy traditional robes pose for snaps to share on Xiaohongshu, China's massively popular lifestyle app.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
The pros included a vast support network of friends and neighbors, 24/7 security guards stationed at the entrance gate, and scenic lakes, swimming pools and tennis courts throughout her development.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 12, 2026
Mom also kept insisting that we make scenic detours to broaden our horizons.
From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
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.
