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picture

n. · v.
US //ˈpɪktʃɝ// UK //pˈɪktʃɐ// pic·ture
  1. 1 visual representation (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    an image of a person, place, or thing made by drawing, painting, or photography.

    a visual representation of a subject on a surface, encompassing drawings, paintings, and photographs.

    Example

    The children drew a picture of their house with bright crayons.

    Example

    The gallery features a diverse collection of pictures, ranging from eighteenth-century oil portraits to contemporary digital photography.
  2. 2 a photograph (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a photo taken with a camera.

    a synonym for photograph, frequently used in informal or general-service registers.

    Example

    Can I take a picture of you in front of the fountain?

    Example

    He scrolled through his phone to find the picture he had taken during the graduation ceremony.
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  1. 3 the cinema (n.)
    A2 Elementary British English Informal

    the cinema or a film.

    a motion picture or the cinema as a venue; often used in the plural 'the pictures'.

    Example

    Would you like to go to the pictures with us on Saturday night?

    Example

    In the mid-twentieth century, going to the pictures was the primary form of weekly entertainment for many families.
  2. 4 the whole situation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the general situation or the complete story of what is happening.

    the overall circumstances or the 'big picture' regarding a specific situation.

    Example

    We need more information to get a clear picture of the problem.

    Example

    The quarterly report provides a comprehensive picture of the company's financial health following the recent merger.
  3. 5 perfect example (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a perfect example of a particular quality.

    a person or thing that is a perfect example or embodiment of a quality.

    Example

    The young athlete was the picture of health and energy.

    Example

    Standing amidst the ruins of his former estate, the old man was the very picture of despair.
  4. 6 to imagine (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to form a mental image of something in your mind.

    to visualize or form a mental representation of a person, place, or event.

    Example

    I can't picture him as a doctor because he is so shy.

    Example

    It is difficult to picture how the landscape looked before the industrial revolution transformed the valley.
  5. 7 to show or describe (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to show or describe someone or something in a certain way.

    to depict or represent someone or something in a visual or verbal medium.

    Example

    The book pictures the small town as a very peaceful place.

    Example

    The documentary pictures the artist as a reclusive genius who struggled with the pressures of sudden fame.
Origin

From Middle English pycture, from Old French picture, itself from Latin pictūra (“the art of painting, a painting”), from pingō (“to paint”). Doublet of pictura.

Idioms4 entries

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