Pretty as a Picture

Pretty as a pictureis a Southern and Appalachian phrase that means extremely beautiful or charming, often in a simple or natural way. It’s a warm, old-fashioned compliment still heard across the South.

#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #OldTimers #Southern

synonyms: beautiful, lovely, cute, fine, pretty as can be

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll hear 'pretty as a picture' out in the country, but it's a little more rare than it used to be.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll hear 'pretty as a picture' out in the country, but it's a little more rare than it used to be.

Pronunciation

[PUHR-dee az uh PIT-chuhr]
/ˈpʊɚ.di æz ə ˈpɪt.tʃɚ/

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely attractive or picturesque (phrase)

Eula Mae:

Look at that little girl in her Easter dress-pretty as a picture.

Mildred:

Ain’t she though? Her mama did her up right.

variations: as pretty as a picture

★ If someone calls you pretty as a picture down South, they mean it from the heart. It’s not fancy talk-just pure admiration, wrapped in paint and poetry. ★

Origin and Etymology

The phrase dates back to early 19th-century Britain, used to describe people or scenes that looked like they belonged in a painting. It spread to America by the mid-1800s and took firm root in the South, where poetic, image-rich speech stayed part of everyday language. While it faded elsewhere, Southerners kept it alive as a sincere, picturesque compliment.

Usage Notes

Though once widespread in English, pretty as a picture remains especially common in Southern and Appalachian speech. It’s used for people, places, or even moments that seem too perfect for words-like a mountain sunrise or a baby dressed for Sunday church.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "pretty as a picture" Southern?

It began in Britain but found lasting life in Southern and Appalachian speech, where it’s still a natural compliment.

What does it mean exactly?

It means someone or something is especially beautiful or charming, as lovely as something painted or framed.

Do people outside the South say it?

Rarely in everyday speech-outside the South it tends to sound old-fashioned or nostalgic.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 19). Pretty as a Picture. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pretty-as-a-picture
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pretty as a Picture." HillbillySlang.com, 19 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pretty-as-a-picture.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Pretty as a Picture." HillbillySlang.com. October 19, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/pretty-as-a-picture.