picture

[ pik-cher ]

noun

1. a visual representation of a person, object, or scene, as a painting, drawing, photograph, etc.:

   I carry a picture of my grandchild in my wallet.

2. any visible image, however produced:

   pictures reflected in a pool of water.

3. a mental image:

   a clear picture of how he had looked that day.

4. a particular image or reality as portrayed in an account or description; depiction; version.
5. a tableau, as in theatrical representation.
6. 1. a movie:

      He signed a three-picture deal to star in the new franchise.

   2. pictures, Older Use. movies collectively, as an art; cinema:

      So, you want to be in pictures?

7. a person, thing, group, or scene regarded as resembling a work of pictorial art in beauty, fineness of appearance, etc.:

   She was a picture in her new blue dress.

8. the image or perfect likeness of someone else:

   He is the picture of his father.

9. a visible or concrete embodiment of some quality or condition:

   the picture of health.

10. a situation or set of circumstances:

    the economic picture.

11. the image on a computer monitor, the viewing screen of a television set, or a motion-picture screen.

verb (used with object)

, pic·tured, pic·tur·ing.

1. to represent in a picture or pictorially, as by painting or drawing.

   Synonyms: represent, draw, paint, delineate

2. to form a mental picture of; imagine:

   He couldn't picture himself doing such a thing.

3. to depict in words; describe graphically:

   He pictured Rome so vividly that you half-believed you were there.

   Synonyms: represent, draw, paint, delineate

4. to present or create as a setting; portray:

   His book pictured the world of the future.

picture

/ ˈpɪktʃə /

noun

1. 1. a visual representation of something, such as a person or scene, produced on a surface, as in a photograph, painting, etc
   2. ( as modifier ) pictorial

      picture postcard

      picture gallery

2. a mental image or impression

   a clear picture of events

3. a verbal description, esp one that is vivid
4. a situation considered as an observable scene

   the political picture

5. a person or thing that bears a close resemblance to another

   he was the picture of his father

6. a person, scene, etc, considered as typifying a particular state or quality

   the picture of despair

7. a beautiful person or scene

   you'll look a picture

8. a complete image on a television screen, comprising two interlaced fields
9. 1. a motion picture; film
   2. ( as modifier )

      picture theatre

10. the pictures
    a cinema or film show
11. another name for tableau vivant
12. get the picture informal.
    to understand a situation
13. in the picture
    informed about a given situation

verb

1. to visualize or imagine
2. to describe or depict, esp vividly
3. often passive to put in a picture or make a picture of

   they were pictured sitting on the rocks

Other Words From

• pic·tur·a·ble adjective
• pic·tur·a·ble·ness noun
• pic·tur·a·bly adverb
• pic·tur·er noun
• mis·pic·ture verb (used with object) mispictured mispicturing
• self-pic·tured adjective
• un·pic·tured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of picture¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin pictūra “the act of painting, a painting,” equivalent to pict(us) (past participle of pingere “to paint” ) + -ūra noun suffix; paint, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of picture¹

C15: from Latin pictūra painting, from pingere to paint

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with picture , also see get the message (picture) ; in the picture ; pretty as a picture ; take a picture ; the picture .

Example Sentences

"Previous studies looked at an average picture of multiple cells," De Luca explains.

From Science Daily

"Our next goal is to elucidate the whole picture of the interactions between renin cells, smooth muscle cells, nerves and inflammatory cells under RAS inhibition," said researcher Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, MD.

From Science Daily

But is this a before or after picture, and is Nessa a wedding ring kinda gal anyway?

From BBC

"We often think that babies exposed to gestational diabetes will automatically be at higher risk for childhood obesity, but our findings show a more complex picture," said Elizabeth Widen, corresponding author and assistant professor of nutritional sciences at UT Austin.

From Science Daily

"Our method provides a clearer picture of how and when certain traits were selected for, especially when those signals have been lost in modern genomes," said Devansh Pandey, a graduate student in cell and molecular biology and co-first author on the paper.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• account
• art
• cartoon
• copy
• depiction
• description
• drawing
• figure
• icon
• image
• impression
• painting
• photo
• photograph
• piece
• portrait
• portrayal
• print
• report
• sketch