IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary

picturesque

adjective/ˌpɪktʃəˈresk/Band 8

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

“picturesque” is a Band 8 adjective that means visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.

Meaning

Visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way.

Example sentences

Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.

  • We stayed in a picturesque fishing village.
  • The route winds through picturesque countryside.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

sceniccharmingquaint

Antonyms

unattractivedrab

Collocations & common phrases

Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.

Collocations

picturesque villagepicturesque scenerypicturesque setting

Common phrases

a picturesque landscape

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Frequently asked questions

What does “picturesque” mean?
Visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way.
How do you use “picturesque” in a sentence?
For example: “We stayed in a picturesque fishing village.”
What are some synonyms for “picturesque”?
Synonyms include scenic, charming, quaint.
Is “picturesque” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 8 vocabulary, and collocations such as picturesque village, picturesque scenery, picturesque setting help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.

Next step

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