Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

a picture is worth a thousand words

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.37 in modern English

Syllables: a pic-ture is -worth a t-hou-sand -words
IPA

47

Scrabble Score

29

Letters

6

Syllables

14

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.

Etymology

Popularized following a 1911 speech given by Arthur Brisbane where he encouraged advertisers "Use a picture. It's worth a thousand words." By 1915, the phrase in its modern form is attested. A number of other phrases expressing the same idea are attested throughout the 1800s.

Inflected Forms

a picture paints a thousand words (alternative)

Phrases

pen picture

Frequently Paired Words

pen picture

Questions

What does a picture is worth a thousand words mean?: A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.
Where does a picture is worth a thousand words come from?: Popularized following a 1911 speech given by Arthur Brisbane where he encouraged advertisers "Use a picture. It's worth a thousand words." By 1915, the phrase in its modern form is attested. A number of other phrases expressing the same idea are attested throughout the 1800s.

How to pronounce a picture is worth a thousand words

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “a picture is worth a thousand words”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “a picture is worth a thousand words”.
Repeat and practice — Say “a picture is worth a thousand words” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.