Pictures Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pictures

[หˆpษชkสงษ™rz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

art

Illustrations or photographs, often displayed on a piece of paper or a screen, that depict a certain subject or scene.

Synonyms

images, photographs, photos.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pictures

General term for visual representations. Can refer to drawings, paintings, or any kind of visual depiction.

  • She has a lot of beautiful pictures on her wall
images

More formal and broad term. Used in technical, digital, or professional contexts. Often refers to both digital and printed visuals.

  • The website's loading speed is affected by the large number of high-resolution images
photos

Informal term for photographs. Commonly used in everyday conversation.

  • Can you send me the photos we took at the party?
photographs

Specifically refers to pictures taken with a camera, and usually used in more formal contexts.

  • The photographs from their wedding were stunning

Examples of usage

  • She loves taking pictures of flowers in her garden.
  • The art gallery had a beautiful collection of pictures.
Context #2 | Noun

memory

Mental images or representations that one remembers or imagines.

Synonyms

images, scenes, visions.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pictures

Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe photographs or drawings.

  • Can you show me the pictures from your vacation? I love drawing pictures of animals
images

Often used in a more technical or formal context, such as in digital media, art, or professional settings.

  • The website needs more high-quality images
  • This camera can capture stunning images
visions

Used to describe mental images or imaginative concepts, often with a mystical or creative connotation.

  • She had visions of a peaceful future
  • His creative visions transformed the company
scenes

Typically used when describing a particular view, setting, or part of a movie or play.

  • The opening scene of the movie was very intense
  • We witnessed some beautiful scenes during our hike

Examples of usage

  • The old man had vivid pictures of his childhood in his mind.
  • The book painted a picture of life in the 19th century.
Context #3 | Verb

capture

To take photographs or create illustrations of a subject using a camera or other artistic tools.

Synonyms

envision, imagine, visualize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pictures

Duplicated word

visualize

Used in contexts like meditation, planning, or when trying to mentally see specific details of an outcome or process, often used in sports, self-help, or therapy.

  • Athletes often visualize their performance before a game
  • You need to visualize the steps to solve this problem
imagine

Used when thinking about something similar to daydreaming, contemplating possibilities, or creating a mental image that is not necessarily tied to goals.

  • Can you imagine living on another planet? I imagine the book would be better as a movie
envision

Used to describe the act of thinking about something you want to happen or achieve in the future, often with a strong intention or goal.

  • She envisions herself as a successful entrepreneur
  • It's difficult to envision a future without technology

Examples of usage

  • She pictures herself traveling around the world.
  • He pictures the landscape in his mind before painting it.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The earliest known pictures were cave paintings made by prehistoric humans over 30,000 years ago.
  • Photography was invented in the early 19th century, with the first successful image taken in 1826 by Joseph Nicรฉphore Niรฉpce.
  • Before photos, people would use paintings or drawings to share what they saw or experienced.

Art

  • Pictures can be created with different methods, including painting, drawing, and digital tools.
  • Famous artists like Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso used their unique styles to make pictures that tell stories and express emotions.
  • The art of photography has evolved from black-and-white images to vibrant, high-definition pictures that capture detail wonderfully.

Technology

  • Digital pictures can be easily shared around the world in seconds thanks to the internet and smartphones.
  • The use of filters and editing apps allows anyone to create beautiful and artistic pictures with a few taps on their phone.
  • Artificial intelligence is now used to enhance pictures, making them clearer or even allowing the generation of new images from scratch.

Communication

  • Pictures are often used to tell stories or convey messages without words, like in comic strips.
  • Emojis and GIFs, which can be considered modern pictures, are popular in digital communication to express emotions quickly.
  • Visual content, including pictures, tends to engage audiences more effectively than text alone.

Psychology

  • Research shows that people often remember information better when itโ€™s accompanied by pictures.
  • Pictures can evoke emotions and memories, making them powerful tools in advertising and storytelling.
  • The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, explaining why visuals are impactful.

Origin of 'pictures'

The word 'pictures' has its origin in the Latin word 'pictura', which means 'painting' or 'drawing'. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include both illustrations and photographs. The use of pictures as a form of communication and expression dates back to ancient times, with cave paintings being some of the earliest examples. In the modern era, pictures have become an integral part of art, media, and communication, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world around us.


See also: pictorial, picturesque.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,342, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.