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pictorial
/pɪkˈtɔːriəl/
relating to pictures
The museum displayed a pictorial history of the 20th century.
The museum showed a visual timeline of the 20th century using images.
formal
relating to, consisting of, or illustrated by pictures
The book includes a pictorial guide to local birds.
The book provides illustrated instructions for identifying local birds.
She prefers pictorial representations over text-based data.
She favors visual displays over written information.
Often used in academic, artistic, or instructional contexts to describe visual content.
formal
of or expressed in pictures; illustrated
The report contained a pictorial narrative of the expedition.
The report told the story of the expedition through a series of images.
Emphasizes the use of images to convey information or a story.
Collocations
pictorial representationvisual depictionpictorial evidencevisual proofpictorial guideillustrated manual
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Don't pair 'pictorial' with 'picture' or 'image' (e.g., 'pictorial picture' is redundant). Use 'pictorial' to describe the *nature* of the content, not the content itself.
Gold Rule
Use for visual emphasis
Reserve 'pictorial' for contexts where images are central to the message, such as infographics, art books, or educational materials.
Word Origin
From Latin *pictor* (painter) + *-alis* (relating to), via Old French *pictorial*. First recorded in English in the 16th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in contexts where visual elements are primary, such as art, design, media, and education. Avoid confusing with 'pictorial' as a noun (rare, meaning a picture or illustration).
Word Breakdown
pict-
from Latin *pictor* (painter)
root-orial
relating to
suffixEnglish Dictionary