# picturesque

/ˈpɪktʃɝəsk/ (US) · /pˌɪktʃəɹˈɛsk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/picturesque
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. visually attractive

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a place that is pretty in a traditional way, like a scene in a painting.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. vivid language

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

describing language or descriptions that are very clear and create a strong picture in your mind.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The village has many picturesque little houses.
- We spent the afternoon walking through the picturesque streets of the old town, stopping to take photos of the colorful buildings.
- Nestled between the jagged peaks of the Alps and the crystal-clear waters of the lake, the town offers a picturesque view that has inspired poets for centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.