picturesque Hear it!

picturesque Definition

pic·tur·esque (pik′c̸hər esk)

adjective

  1. like or suggesting a picture; specif.,
    1. having a wild or natural beauty, as mountain scenery
    2. pleasantly unfamiliar or strange; quaint
  2. suggesting or calling up a mental picture; striking; vivid a picturesque description

Etymology: altered (by assoc. with picture) < Fr pittoresque < It pittoresco < pittore, painter < L pictor, painter < pp. of pingere, to paint

picturesque Related Forms

pic′·tur·esquely adverb pic′·tur·esque·ness noun

picturesque Synonyms

picturesque

modif.

  1. Having the qualities of a picture

    pictorial, scenic, graphic, striking, arresting.

  2. Romantic and striking, but lacking depth and power

    pretty, charming, unusual; see pleasant 2.

picturesque Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

make: Ironically, human intervention can also make the woods picturesque, healthier, more naturally diverse and self sustaining.

Modifies a noun

  • village: Trip 2 - Haworth Haworth is a picturesque village located in the moors above Keighley, near Bradford.
  • harbor: In the south western corner of the island, nestling around a picturesque fishing harbor is the ancient Roman capital of Paphos.
  • hamlet: It stands in the picturesque hamlet of Warren Street on top of the North Downs above Lenham.
  • surroundings: It was just not in keeping with the quality of the hotel or our picturesque surroundings, " he says.
  • cove: The deeply indented Cornish coast is lined with rocky cliffs sheltering picturesque coves once legendary haunts of smugglers.
  • scenery: En route you will enjoy the picturesque scenery of Malaysia âs tropical jungles.

Modifying Another Word

  • delightfully: These markets take place in the medieval market square with its arched arcades and are delightfully picturesque.
  • stunningly: Key attractions Innsbruck's historic center is stunningly picturesque, with several exquisite examples of architecture from the 14th through 17th centuries.
  • wonderfully: In addition to Harding's Wood and Fox's Hole Wood there was Nab's Wood, the latter wonderfully picturesque.
  • famously: Only 2 hours away is the famously picturesque Eilean Donan Castle which is well worth a trip to the west coast.
  • extremely: The hotel and surrounding areas are extremely picturesque and well equipped making it an ideal choice for both families and couples.
  • beautifully: These include skiing in nearby Glenshee and relaxed golf on the beautifully picturesque 18 hole Braemar golf course.

Used with adjective complement

  • overlook: The house overlooks picturesque Leith Links where the first rules of golf were put to paper.
  • look: Built in local materials in earthy colors, the development will look picturesque.
  • become: The course of the Rhine below Mainz becomes much more picturesque.

Preposition: in

country: The forest here is one of the most historic and picturesque in the country.

Preposition: of

  • castle: You will marvel at the views when we stop at this most picturesque of castles.
  • town: It is one of the most picturesque of the coastal resort towns on the French Riviera, paralleled only by Antibes.

Browse dictionary entries near picturesque

  1. picture writing
  2. picture window
  3. picture tube
  4. picture show
  5. picture-perfect
  6. picture hat
  7. picture card
  8. picture book
  9. picture
  10. pictorial
  1. picturize
  2. picul
  3. PID
  4. piddle
  5. piddling
  6. piddly
  7. piddock
  8. pidgin
  9. pidgin English
  10. pie