picture
pic·ture / ˈpikchər/ • n. a painting or drawing: draw a picture of a tree. ∎ a photograph: we were warned not to take pictures. ∎ a portrait: have her picture painted. ∎ archaic a person or thing resembling another closely: she is the very picture of her mother. ∎ fig. an impression of something formed from an account or description: a full picture of the disaster had not yet emerged. ∎ an image on a television screen. ∎ a movie: it took five honors, including best picture. ∎ (the pictures) the movies: I'm going to the pictures with my buddies.• v. [tr.] (often be pictured) represent (someone or something) in a photograph or picture: he is pictured with party guests. ∎ describe (someone or something) in a certain way: the markets in London and New York are usually pictured in contrasting terms. ∎ form a mental image of: she pictured Benjamin waiting.PHRASES: be in pictures act in movies or work in the motion-picture industry.be (or look) a picture be beautiful.get the picture inf. understand a situation.in the picture fully informed about something.out of the picture no longer involved; irrelevant: hostages were better left out of the picture.the (or a) picture of —— the embodiment of a specified state or emotion: she looked the picture of forbearance. (as) pretty as a picture very pretty.