Idiom idiom
a picture is worth 1000 words
Meaning
Better to show than tell
Examples
“A picture is worth 1000 words when you explain a new design.”
“Instead of describing the beautiful sunset to my friends, I just showed them my photo because a picture is worth 1000 words.”
“The journalist chose to lead with a powerful photograph of the protest, knowing that a picture is worth 1000 words when capturing the raw emotion of a crowd.”
Origin
Coined in 1920s American advertising by Fred R. Barnard, who promoted it as an ancient 'Chinese proverb' to lend it weight.
Last updated June 7, 2026