Picture: meaning, definitions and examples

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picture

 

[ ˈpɪk.tʃər ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

artwork or photograph

A visual representation or image produced by drawing, painting, or photography.

Synonyms

drawing, image, painting, photo.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
picture

A general term that can refer to any kind of visual representation, including drawings, paintings, and photographs. It is the most versatile term.

  • She showed me a picture of her dog.
  • Can you draw a picture of a tree?
image

A broad term for any visual representation, including digital representations, pictures, and photos. Often used in technical or formal contexts.

  • The website needs to load images faster.
  • He uploaded an image of the sunset to his profile.
photo

A visual representation captured through photography. It is more specific and usually implies the use of a camera.

  • She took a photo of the mountains.
  • His photo collection is amazing.
drawing

Typically refers to an artwork created with pencils, pens, or other tools that make marks on a surface, usually paper.

  • Her drawing skills are exceptional.
  • He gave me a drawing of a ship.
painting

Specifically refers to artwork created with paint, typically on canvas or paper. Often associated with art and creativity.

  • The painting in the museum is breathtaking.
  • She spent hours working on her latest painting.

Examples of usage

  • A beautiful picture of a sunset.
  • She painted a picture of her family.
  • The photographer took pictures of the wedding.
Context #2 | Verb

to represent visually

To create a visual representation of something through drawing, painting, or photography.

Synonyms

depict, illustrate, portray.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
picture

Use when referring to a visual representation of something, like a photograph or a drawing.

  • She took a picture of the sunset
depict

Use when you want to describe or show something using words, art, or sketches, often in detail.

  • The artist's painting depicts a peaceful countryside
illustrate

Use when you want to make something clear or visible by providing pictures or examples, often in educational materials.

  • He used charts to illustrate his points during the presentation
portray

Use when describing how someone or something is represented in art, literature, or other media. Often used for describing how a character is shown in stories.

  • The actor portrays a brave knight in the movie

Examples of usage

  • She likes to picture herself living by the beach.
  • He pictured the scene in his mind before painting it.

Translations

Translations of the word "picture" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imagem

🇮🇳 चित्र

🇩🇪 Bild

🇮🇩 gambar

🇺🇦 зображення

🇵🇱 obraz

🇯🇵 画像 (がぞう)

🇫🇷 image

🇪🇸 imagen

🇹🇷 resim

🇰🇷 그림

🇸🇦 صورة

🇨🇿 obrázek

🇸🇰 obrázok

🇨🇳 图片 (túpiàn)

🇸🇮 slika

🇮🇸 mynd

🇰🇿 сурет

🇬🇪 სურათი

🇦🇿 şəkil

🇲🇽 imagen

Etymology

The word 'picture' originated from the Latin word 'pictura', which means painting or drawing. Over time, it evolved to encompass any visual representation, whether it be a painting, drawing, or photograph. The concept of capturing images dates back to ancient times, with cave paintings being some of the earliest known 'pictures'. Today, pictures play a crucial role in art, communication, and memory preservation.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,105, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.