English Reference
noun

pictures

n.
US /ˈpɪktʃɝz/ UK /pˈɪktʃəz/ pic·tures

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    more than one drawing, painting, or photograph.

    the plural form of picture, referring to multiple visual representations on a surface.

    Simple

    She hung several pictures of her family on the living room wall.

    In context

    The gallery displayed a series of pictures depicting the industrial landscape of northern England during the mid-twentieth century.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate British EnglishInformal

    the cinema or a place where you go to watch a film.

    a plural-only noun referring to the cinema or the film industry; common in British and Irish English.

    Simple

    Do you want to go to the pictures to see the new action movie tonight?

    In context

    In the era before television became universal, a weekly trip to the pictures was the primary form of entertainment for most families.

    Usage

    Usually used with 'the', as in 'going to the pictures'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a slightly old-fashioned but still common way to say 'the cinema' in the UK and Ireland.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated