Phrase guide

pen picture

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈpɛn ˌpɪk(t)ʃə/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈpɛn ˌpɪk(t)ʃəɹ/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A written description, often biographical.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pen portrait, sketch

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A picture drawn with a pen.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, idiomatic

Topics: art, arts

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pen portrait

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From pen + picture.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kuvaus — written description, often biographical
  • Finnish: luonteenkuvaus — written description, often biographical
  • Finnish: lyijykynäpiirros — picture drawn with a pen