scenic
SEE-nik
/ˈsiːnɪk/
Providing or relating to views of impressive or beautiful natural scenery.
Focuses specifically on the visual beauty of a landscape.
The story behind the word. The root 'skene' originally referred to the wooden structure behind the stage in ancient Greek theaters. Eventually, it came to mean the stage setting itself, and by the 17th century, it was used to describe the 'stage' of nature.
Word relationships
- picturesque: Suggests a scene so beautiful it looks like a painting.
- breathtaking: A much stronger term for something incredibly beautiful.
- unattractive: Lacking aesthetic appeal.
- drab: Dull and lacking in color or interest.
Commonly confused with
- scenery: 'Scenery' is the noun (the view), while 'scenic' is the adjective describing the view.
Word family
- scenery (noun): The natural features of a landscape.
Collocations
- scenic route
- scenic beauty
- scenic view
- scenic backdrop
Example sentences
- "We decided to take the scenic route through the mountains, even though it took an hour longer." Describing a drive.
- "The hotel is located in a scenic spot overlooking the lake." Describing a location.
Memory hook
A place so beautiful it belongs in a movie 'scene'. A movie-perfect scene.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a place that is peaceful but ugly, or a place with no view at all.
Fun facts
- The first 'scenic railways' were early versions of roller coasters designed to show off beautiful views.
- 'Scenic' is one of the most common words used in tourism marketing.
Related words
Explore more words
picturesque, cinematic, breathtaking, aesthetic, secluded, sublime
Also appears in
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