picturesque
gb/pˈɪkt͡ʃɚəsk/ us/pˈɪkt͡ʃɚəsk/
B2
English
~ 4100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
attractive in a charming way
Very pretty or charming, especially in an old-fashioned or unusual way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is picturesque
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'picturesque' with 'photogenic'. 'Picturesque' describes something that looks like a beautiful picture, while 'photogenic' means someone or something looks good in photos.
Synonyms
scenic (Emphasizes beautiful natural surroundings, often used for landscapes.)
|
charming (Focuses on pleasantness and appeal, not necessarily visual.)
Antonyms
ugly (Direct opposite in terms of visual appeal.)
|
unattractive (Lacking charm or beauty in appearance.)
Collocations
picturesque village
|picturesque scenery
|picturesque street
|picturesque view
|picturesque countryside
Themes
travel
|nature
|art
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The town is full of picturesque cottages with thatched roofs.
- We stopped to take photos of the picturesque harbor.
- The hike offered several picturesque views of the valley.
- Her garden was so picturesque it looked like a painting.
- The picturesque streets were lined with colorful houses.
Learner examples
- The small town is very picturesque.
- We saw a picturesque lake in the mountains.
- This street is picturesque in the evening.
- The beach looks picturesque at sunset.
adjective
literary
C1
property
2
vividly striking or expressive
Very clear and strong in appearance or style, like a picture.
Usage pattern:
[something] is picturesque
Common mistake:
Some learners think this meaning only applies to visual things, but it can also describe vivid language or descriptions.
Synonyms
graphic (Emphasizes vividness and detail, especially in description.)
|
expressive (Focuses on conveying strong feeling or imagery.)
Antonyms
dull (Lacking vividness or interest.)
|
bland (Lacking strong features or characteristics.)
Collocations
picturesque description
|picturesque language
|picturesque scene
Themes
art
|literature
|communication
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The novelist's picturesque descriptions brought the city to life.
- He painted a picturesque portrait of rural life in the 19th century.
- Her speech was filled with picturesque imagery and metaphors.
Learner examples
- The writer gives a picturesque story about the forest.
- He uses picturesque words to describe the city.
- The book has many picturesque parts about the sea.
Grammar
Dictionary form
picturesque
IPA
GB/pˈɪkt͡ʃɚəsk/
US/pˈɪkt͡ʃɚəsk/
Syllables & stress
pic - tur - esque (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: picturesque
Word family
Core family
picture
noun A1
Related words
pictorial
adjective
Advanced or less common
picturesquely
adverb
Expressions
picturesque setting
1/pˈɪkt͡ʃɚəsk sˈɛtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
beautiful and charming location
A place that looks very pretty and charming.
Examples
- The wedding took place in a picturesque setting by the lake.
- We enjoyed dinner in a picturesque setting overlooking the mountains.
picturesque view
1/pˈɪkt͡ʃɚəsk vjˈu/
fixed phrase
beautiful and charming sight
A sight that looks very pretty and charming.
Examples
- From the balcony, we had a picturesque view of the old town.
- The hotel offers a picturesque view of the sea.
picturesque village
1/pˈɪkt͡ʃɚəsk vˈɪlɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
beautiful and charming village
A small town that looks very pretty and charming.
Examples
- They spent their holiday in a picturesque village in Italy.
- We walked through a picturesque village with cobblestone streets.