Word
picturesque
Phoneticspic·turesque
US/ˈpɪktʃɝəsk/
UK/pˌɪktʃəɹˈɛsk/
Definitions
01visually attractive
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing a place that is pretty in a traditional way, like a scene in a painting.
adj. visually charming or quaint, resembling the aesthetic qualities of a landscape painting.
“We stayed in a picturesque little village with stone houses and narrow streets.”
“The hikers paused at the summit to admire the picturesque valley, where the winding river reflected the golden hues of the late afternoon sun.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
Antonyms
02vivid language
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. describing language or descriptions that are very clear and create a strong picture in your mind.
adj. referring to language or imagery that is strikingly graphic, vivid, or evocative.
“The author used picturesque language to describe the sights and sounds of the busy market.”
“His travelogue was filled with picturesque descriptions of the local customs, allowing readers to imagine the festival in great detail.”
Teaching tip
This sense is less common than the physical description of a place; learners should use 'vivid' for everyday speech.
Real-World Examples
“He had passed another full layby in Glencoe valley, a particularly picturesque and popular part of the Scottish highlands that attracts large numbers of overseas tourists.” “In a picturesque village, the mayor closed a road, setting off a storm with residents and the owners of a castle that once belonged to his family.” Etymology
From picture + -esque, a calque of French pittoresque, from picture (“a picture, painting”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/picturesque