Picture Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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picture

[ˈpɪk.tʃər ]

Definitions

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'picture'

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.