picturesque
pihkt-shuh-REHSK
Picturesque (adj) means Charmingly attractive, as if it belonged in a painting. Example: “The village's picturesque harbour draws tourists all summer.”
adj
1
Charmingly attractive, as if it belonged in a painting.
"The village's picturesque harbour draws tourists all summer."
"They stopped to admire the picturesque valley below."
"We rented a picturesque cottage with a thatched roof and a rose garden."
How to use picturesque
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPretty in a scenic, postcard-like way.
Common pairings
picturesque village
picturesque scenery
picturesque setting
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more picturesque
- Superlative
- most picturesque
Fill the gap
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The village's _____ harbour draws tourists all summer.
Etymology
From "picture" plus "-esque", modeled on the French pittoresque, meaning "in the style of a painting".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for picturesque
See all rhymes for picturesque →Frequently asked questions
What does “picturesque” mean?
The word “picturesque” means charmingly attractive, as if it belonged in a painting. In plain terms, pretty in a scenic, postcard-like way.
How do you pronounce “picturesque”?
“Picturesque” is pronounced pihkt-shuh-REHSK (/ˌpɪkt͡ʃəˈɹɛsk/ in IPA).
How do you use “picturesque” in a sentence?
Here is “picturesque” used in a sentence: “The village's picturesque harbour draws tourists all summer.”
What is another word for “picturesque”?
Words with a similar meaning to “picturesque” include quaint and scenic.
What part of speech is “picturesque”?
“Picturesque” is an adjective.
Where does the word “picturesque” come from?
The word “picturesque” comes from French. From "picture" plus "-esque", modeled on the French pittoresque, meaning "in the style of a painting".
Is “picturesque” a common word?
“Picturesque” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
