- visually pleasing, esp in being striking or vivid: a picturesque view
- (of language) graphic; vivid
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pic•tur•esque /ˌpɪktʃəˈrɛsk/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- charming or pleasing to the eye:a picturesque village.
- (of writing, speech, appearance, etc.) strikingly effective in conveying a mental picture:Her essay had picturesque language.
pic′tur•esque
(pik′chə resk′),USA pronunciation adj.
pic′tur•esque′ly, adv.
pic′tur•esque′ness, n.
- visually charming or quaint, as if resembling or suitable for a painting:a picturesque fishing village.
- (of writing, speech, etc.) strikingly graphic or vivid;
creating detailed mental images:a picturesque description of the Brazilian jungle. - having pleasing or interesting qualities;
strikingly effective in appearance:a picturesque hat.
- Italian pittoresco (pittor(e) painter + -esco -esque), with assimilation to picture
- French pittoresque
- 1695–1705
pic′tur•esque′ness, n.
- 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.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
picturesque /ˌpɪktʃəˈrɛsk/ adj
'picturesque' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
-esque
- idyll
- idyllic
- statuesque
- calendar art
- colorful
- graphic
- hinterland
- local color
- pictorial
- quaint
- tableau
- unpicturesque
- vacationland
- vivid
- Zouave