picturesque
pik-chuh-RESK
/ˌpɪk.tʃəˈresk/
Visually attractive, especially in a quaint, charming, or old-fashioned way; suitable for a painting.
Picturesque implies a scenic, rustic, or irregular beauty rather than perfect, polished symmetry. It is often used for landscapes and old villages.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Italian 'pittoresco', meaning 'in the style of a painter'. It entered English in the 18th century during the rise of landscape tourism, when travelers would carry a 'Claude glass' (a tinted mirror) to view landscapes as if they were paintings.
Word relationships
- scenic: Scenic refers to beautiful natural scenery, while picturesque adds a layer of quaint, storybook charm.
- quaint: Quaint means attractively unusual or old-fashioned, whereas picturesque focuses more on being visually perfect for a picture.
- unsightly: Unsightly means unpleasant or ugly to look at, particularly in a messy way.
- drab: Drab means lacking in color, brightness, or interest, making it completely unappealing.
Commonly confused with
- grotesque: Grotesque refers to distorted, bizarre, or ugly forms, whereas picturesque refers to charming, paintable beauty.
Word family
- picturesqueness (noun): The quality of being picturesque.
- picturesquely (adverb): In a picturesque or charming manner.
Collocations
- picturesque village
- picturesque setting
- picturesque landscape
- picturesque ruins
Example sentences
- "We spent the afternoon wandering through the picturesque streets of the medieval coastal village." Describing a travel destination
- "The cottage was picturesque, with its thatched roof and wild roses climbing up the stone walls." A classic description of a rural scene
Memory hook
Think of a scene so perfect you want to take a 'picture' of it to hang on your wall. Picturesque is perfect for a picture.
When not to use
Avoid using 'picturesque' for sleek, modern, or highly industrial settings, even if they look good. It belongs to charming, natural, or historic scenes.
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, theorists defined the 'picturesque' as a middle ground between the 'beautiful' (smooth and orderly) and the 'sublime' (vast and terrifying).
Related words
Also appears in
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