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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

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."

How to use picturesque

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPretty in a scenic, postcard-like way.

Common pairings
picturesque village picturesque scenery picturesque setting

Word forms

more picturesque comparative, most picturesque superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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".

Origin: French

Related words

Rhymes for picturesque

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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.

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