pictorial

1 of 2

adjective

pic·​to·​ri·​al pik-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce pictorial (audio)
1
: of or relating to a painter, a painting, or the painting or drawing of pictures
pictorial perspective
2
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of pictures
pictorial records
b
: illustrated by pictures
pictorial weekly
c
: consisting of or displaying the characteristics of pictographs
d
: suggesting or conveying visual images
pictorial poetry
pictorially adverb
pictorialness noun

pictorial

2 of 2

noun

: a periodical having much pictorial matter

Examples of pictorial in a Sentence

Adjective a pictorial record of the trip that photojournalist is planning to do a primarily pictorial report on the famine in Africa
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Tibetan Buddhism persuaded with sheer pictorial beauty. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025 But the circulation of artworks to places far removed from their origins, and their persistence beyond the time of their creation, demands that they be seen not only as historical documents but as explorations of pictorial possibility. Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
By contrast, animation foregrounds the pictorial, which is its own aesthetic doctrine. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 Irina Shayk is the rare model who started in her 20s and transitioned from swimsuit and lingerie modeling to high-fashion pictorials to, nowadays, street style. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for pictorial 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin pictorius, from Latin pictor painter — more at picturesque

First Known Use

Adjective

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pictorial was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near pictorial

Cite this Entry

“Pictorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pictorial. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

pictorial

adjective
pic·​to·​ri·​al
pik-ˈtōr-ē-əl,
-ˈtȯr-
1
: of or relating to painting or drawing
pictorial art
2
: consisting of or illustrated by pictures
pictorial magazines
3
: suggesting or communicating vivid mental images
pictorial poetry
pictorially
-ē-ə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pictorial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!