picturesque

[ pik-chuh-resk ]
See synonyms for picturesque on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. having pleasing or interesting qualities; strikingly effective in appearance: a picturesque hat.

Origin of picturesque

1
First recorded in 1695–1705; from French pittoresque, from Italian pittoresco (pittor(e)painter1 + -esco-esque), with assimilation to picture

synonym study For picturesque

2. 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 words from picturesque

  • pic·tur·esque·ly, adverb
  • pic·tur·esque·ness, noun
  • un·pic·tur·esque, adjective
  • un·pic·tur·esque·ly, adverb
  • un·pic·tur·esque·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with picturesque

Words Nearby picturesque

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use picturesque in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for picturesque

picturesque

/ (ˌpɪktʃəˈrɛsk) /


adjective
  1. visually pleasing, esp in being striking or vivid: a picturesque view

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

  1. (of language) graphic; vivid

Origin of picturesque

1
C18: from French pittoresque (but also influenced by picture), from Italian pittoresco, from pittore painter, from Latin pictor

Derived forms of picturesque

  • picturesquely, adverb
  • picturesqueness, noun

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