a picture is worth a thousand words meaning essay

'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words': Definition, Meaning, Examples

a picture is worth a thousand words meaning essay

Have you ever tried to explain something to someone, and they just weren't getting it? Then the idiom 'A picture is worth a thousand words' might come in handy! In this article, you'll learn what it means, its origins, and how to use it.

The short version is:

'A picture is worth a thousand words' is a way of saying that showing someone a picture can be a more effective way of explaining something than using words.

What Does 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words' Mean?

Many people are visual learners, but even those who aren't can benefit from an illustrated version of a complex idea. Take, for example, instruction manuals; they usually come with a picture or diagram or some sort of visual support to help you figure out how to use or build the item.

That's the idea that the idiom 'A picture is worth a thousand words' conveys. It means you can tell an entire story with just one picture and impart a concept or idea much more effectively.

The dictionary defines it as follows:

used to say that it is often easier to show something in a picture than to describe it with words

Imagine, for instance, that you were putting together a presentation for your team about the organization's progress over the last quarter.

Your colleague might say to you:

You should add in some graphs and charts. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Some variants of the expression include:

A picture is worth ten thousand words.
One picture is worth ten thousand words.
One picture is worth a thousand words.

Where Does 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words' Come From?

This expression has been around for a long time and is used in many countries worldwide. But where does it originate from? Here's what we know.

An Advertising Tool

The idiom in this specific form is attributed to Arthur Brisbane during a Syracuse Advertising Men's Club banquet in 1911. Rumor has it they got together to discuss the best marketing techniques, and Brisbane is known to have said:

Use a picture. It's worth a thousand words.

The event and this quote were documented in the Post-Standard newspaper and advertising trade journal Printers' Ink.

Later, Fred R. Barnard used the phrase ' One picture is worth ten thousand words. ' in a Printers' Ink 1921 issue to promote the use of pictures on advertisements on streetcars (old school trams).

A Chinese Proverb

It was commonly believed for some time (and probably still is by some now) that this idiom is actually a Chinese proverb and was attributed to the famous philosopher Confucius. But there's actually a straightforward explanation.

Remember Barnard, the guy who promoted the use of pictures in ads on streetcars? Yeah, that guy. He also put out another ad in the Printer's Ink six years later, where he wrote 'One Picture Worth Ten Thousand Words' and labeled it a Chinese proverb.

It was later revealed that he lied about this so that people would take it seriously. So it's confirmed this is definitely not a Chinese proverb.

Earlier Variants

While this specific adaptation of the phrase was popularized in modern times, other versions meaning the same thing were used long before that. It's such a popular message that there are too many to list here, but I'll show you some poignant examples.

As far back as the 15th or 16th century, Leonardo also expressed this idea in one of his notebooks—possibly in his "Codex Atlanticus," a collection of his writings and drawings. The specific date of when he wrote this quote may not be available, as his notebooks were filled with various ideas, sketches, and observations over a long period. However, Leonardo da Vinci lived from 1452 to 1519, and his notebooks contain writings from throughout his life. He said something along the lines of:

A poet would be overcome by sleep and hunger before being able to describe with words what a painter is able to depict in an instant."

In 1861, Russian writer Ivan Turgenev wrote:

The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.

At one point, even Napoleon Bonaparte had a go at it and said (translated from French):

A good sketch is better than a long speech.

In Ivan S. Turgenev's 1862 novel Fathers and Sons, one of his characters says:

Examples in Sentences

Now we've covered the meaning and origin of the phrase, let's check out some examples where this idiom is used in sentences :

While on vacation , we saw such amazing sunsets; it really made me realize that a picture is worth a thousand words. The documentary used striking images of the wildlife to convey its message, proving that a picture is worth a thousand words. You use a lot of smart words but a picture is worth a thousand words. Her facial expression, captured in that photograph, told a story that words could never fully convey—a true example of how a picture is worth a thousand words. The artist's painting of a field of flowers was so evocative that it demonstrated the age-old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. Instead of describing the scene in detail, I showed them the picture, as I knew a picture is worth a thousand words. You can tell many tales with words but a picture is worth a thousand words. The infographic in the presentation summarized the data beautifully, proving that sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. The marketing team decided to proceed with using a captivating image in their ad campaign, knowing that a picture is worth a thousand words in grabbing people's attention. As a travel blogger, she always relied on stunning photos to illustrate her adventures, believing that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Other Ways to Say 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words'

There are other ways to express the fact that a picture explains something better than words.

Here are some of them :

A picture paints a thousand words.
Every picture tells a story.
It's better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.
Seeing once is better than hearing twice.
Show, don't tell.

Concluding Thoughts

That concludes this article about this famous saying. To summarize, to say that a picture is worth a thousand words is to say that a picture is often a more effective way of conveying a message than using words.

Are you ready to learn more English phrases and expand your vocabulary? Check out our idioms blog for idioms, expressions, sayings, and more!

Learn More:

Nonce Words: What Are Nonce Words? Definition and Examples
Loan Words: What Are Loan Words? Definition and Examples
Confusing Words: 51 Commonly Confused Words in English (Examples)
Curse Words: What Are Bad Words in English to Call Someone? (Examples)
Transition Words: What Are Transition Words? Definitions and Examples
'Tie the Knot': Definition, Meaning, Examples
Compound Words: What Are Compound Words? Definition and Examples
'Where There's Smoke, There's Fire': Definition, Meaning, Examples
'You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too': Definition, Meaning, Examples
'Keep Your Chin Up': Definition, Meaning, Examples
'Let Sleeping Dogs Lie’: Definition, Meaning, Examples
'All Bark and No Bite': Definition, Meaning, Examples
'Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill’: Definition, Meaning, Examples
‘Actions Speak Louder Than Words’: Definition, Meaning and Examples
Onomatopoeia: What is Onomatopoeia? Discovering Sound Words in English (Examples)

We encourage you to share this article on Twitter and Facebook . Just click those two links - you'll see why.

It's important to share the news to spread the truth. Most people won't.

Add new comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

The Words Children Hear Picture Books and Language Learning Words: 268
Exploring Dorothea Lange’s Legacy in Words & Pictures Words: 835
Phoria Pictures: Independent Film Company Brand Identity Words: 856
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde Words: 1923
Picture Exchange Communication Systems for Autists Words: 2502
Family Interaction Through the Motion Pictures Words: 3031
Photojournalism. Is the Proof in the Picture? Words: 266

Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?

A picture can be worth a thousand words or even more but, as I will argue, that depends on who looks at it, why they look at it, and in what circumstances. In other words, a picture’s meaning is relative to the viewer, and changes as the viewer changes.

Once upon a time pictures had a significance greater than themselves but that was when only the most skilled artists working in a difficult medium were able to produce them. Now pictures are everywhere we look and their significance has diminished as a result.

We take them for granted, we no longer study them but give them a quick, practiced glance and move on to the next picture. Some pictures will hold our attention for a little longer because the subject is unusual or amusing but mostly we see pictures as we see cars, people, traffic lights, and buildings. They’re part of our environment and hardly register in our consciousness. In the public sphere, then, pictures are mostly background colors consisting of advertisements, posters and billboards. These pictures are not meant to do more than direct our attention to the brand name.

In some countries, public pictures include portraits of dictators that are designed to unify people or make them accept the dictator as their rightful leader or make them more obedient to the leader. Propaganda posters may also brighten those streets, along with social realist depictions of model citizens. Such pictures are easily recognized as having a message and are thus negated, canceled out by people who have been bombarded with too many pictures like them.

Private pictures, such as a drawing made by a child or photos of our loved ones fascinate us because they bring back memories or mark an occasion or may even fill us with the love and tenderness we feel for those persons. However, that is a highly subjective response, one that certainly does not hold true everywhere and at all times. In these pictures, only the subject speaks to us, and if we know the subject well, if we are emotionally involved with him or her, then that is what we think about or why we feel the way we do. In those pictures, it is the subject that communicates, not the picture itself.

We go to a museum to look at paintings but there it is the making of the picture that most interests the viewer. A painter does not just point and click. He or she must first learn the techniques required to paint a picture, and after that must make a thousand different decisions about the picture to be painted. The pose, the angle from which the subject is viewed, the lighting, the composition, and much more are worked out in quick sketches.

The end product is a human artifact, something created mostly by the artist’s hands with a little help from the industry. We look at the picture but also at the other aspects of the work. Students spend years copying masterpieces in order to learn the techniques employed by these artists, and as part of their studies, they interpret the paintings in the context of the artist’s time and his other works until by the end the picture speaks volumes to them. For most viewers, however, the experience of looking at Rembrandt or Vermeer is one of wonder; but are they more interested in the image or the draftsmanship?

Where photos and paintings are equal, however, is that the more the viewer brings to them, the more they will get out of them. That is not just true of pictures but also of visiting the places we have only seen in pictures. Perhaps so many tourists take pictures of the places they visit to look at them later when they are back in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

There, relaxed and with far more knowledge of those places, they can look at the pictures and get a new story from them made up equally of the subject and their experience of it; or to put it another way, they can see how their travels have changed them by looking at the pictures, and what the picture tells them will reflect those changes.

Cite this paper

Chicago (N-B)
Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2021, November 17). Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words? https://studycorgi.com/is-a-picture-worth-a-thousand-words/

"Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?" StudyCorgi , 17 Nov. 2021, studycorgi.com/is-a-picture-worth-a-thousand-words/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) 'Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words'. 17 November.

1. StudyCorgi . "Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?" November 17, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/is-a-picture-worth-a-thousand-words/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?" November 17, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/is-a-picture-worth-a-thousand-words/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?" November 17, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/is-a-picture-worth-a-thousand-words/.

This paper, “Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 11, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Meaning, Origin and Usage

Are you looking for a way to tell someone to send you a picture of what they are trying to explain? You could always use the phrase, " a picture is worth a thousand words ." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this saying.

" A picture is worth a thousand words " means that images tell a better story than words. By using images, you can convey your message in a visual representation that impacts others.

Example Usage

"Sandra spent an hour telling me about her vacation. I didn't realize how beautiful the place was until I saw her pictures. It's true what they say; a picture is worth a thousand words."

" A picture is worth a thousand words , and that picture has nothing good to say for itself."

"Don't you know that a picture is worth a thousand words ? There's no way you can deny involvement after they caught you on camera like that."

The origin of the proverbial saying " a picture is worth a thousand words " comes from a reinterpretation of previous expressions in the early 1800s. The Works of Mr. James Thomson, published in 1802 has the earliest rendition of the phrase as the following.

" One timely deed is worth ten thousand words "

The phrase also appears in the play, " The Trust: A Comedy, in Five Acts," published in 1808, where it reads.

" That tear, good girl, is worth ten thousand words ."

The American Journal of Education also published an earlier rendition of the saying in 1858.

" One fact well understood by observation and well-guided development is worth a thousand times more than a thousand words ."

However, the saying gained prominence in its modern form in America in the early 20th century.

Frederick R. Barnard published a column titled "One look is worth a thousand words" in the industry magazine " Printer's Ink " in December 1921. Barnard claims the saying has Japanese origins, and Printers ink would later publish the phrase as the following.

" Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words ."

Phrases Similar to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Stop talking and send me a picture.
Pics, or it didn't happen.

Phrases Opposite to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Words mean nothing.
Images are easy to falsify.

What is the Correct Saying?

A picture is worth a thousand words.
A picture says a thousand words.

Ways People May Say It Incorrectly

The phrase " a picture is worth a thousand words " doesn't mean that a picture contains a thousand words of information. It means that images are more valuable than words when explaining concepts of events. So, you wouldn't use the phrase when you're referring to the video or other media formats, only images.

Acceptable Ways to Phrase It

You can use " a picture is worth a thousand words " in several social and professional situations. For instance, you could request someone to send you a picture of an item you're thinking about buying. You can also use the phrase to tell someone that a lot is going on in a specific image.

The phrase suits social and professional use. You could use it at work when you're telling a supplier to stop talking about a product and send you a picture so you can get a visual image. You could use it at home to tell someone to send you a picture of their vacation so you can get an idea of their trip.

A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush - Meaning, Origin and Usage
How to Write a Letter to an Inmate
How To Write A Certified Letter (With Templates)
How to Write a Letter to the President of the United States
How to Write a Postcard (with Tips & Examples)
You’re My Muse – Meaning, Origin and Usage

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Meaning of “a picture is worth a thousand words”, origin of “a picture is worth a thousand words”, examples in literature.

If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can’t I paint you? The words will never show, to you I’ve come to know. If a face could launch a thousand ships, then where am I to go? there’s no one home but you, You’re all that’s left me too. And when, my love, for life is running dry, you come, and pour, yourself, on me. If a man could be two places at one time, I’d be with you. tomorrow and today, beside you all the way. If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die, I’d spend the end with you, and when the world was through, Then one, by one, the stars would all go out and you, and I, would simply fly away

This phrasing goes as follows; “A picture is worth a thousand words.” What about words? Can they be forged into, A thousand pictures. People paint a visual, Long before we know them, Who’s to know what picture, Lurks behind the eye? Are we worth thousand visuals? For we have all their pictures, All their perfect words, All their protective hugs, All their loving kisses, And all their thoughtful idea.

Examples in Sentences

A picture is worth a thousand words

What's the meaning of the phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.

A picture tells a story just as well as, if not better than, a lot of written words.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A picture is worth a thousand words'?

This phrase emerged in the USA in the early part of the 20th century. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who published a piece commending the effectiveness of graphics in advertising with the title “ One look is worth a thousand words “, in Printer’s Ink , December 1921. Barnard claimed the phrase’s source to be oriental by adding “so said a famous Japanese philosopher, and he was right”.

“Chinese proverb. One picture is worth ten thousand words.”

The arbitrary escalation from ‘one thousand’ to ‘ten thousand’ and the switching from Japan to China as the source leads us to smell a rat with this derivation. In fact, Barnard didn’t introduce the phrase – his only contribution was the incorrect suggestion that the country of origin was Japan or China. This has led to another popular belief about the phrase, that is, that it was coined by Confucius. It might fit the Chinese-sounding ‘Confucius he say’ style, but the Chinese derivation was pure invention.

“One timely deed is worth ten thousand words” – The Works of Mr. James Thomson , 1802. “That tear, good girl, is worth, ten thousand words” – The Trust: A Comedy, in Five Acts , 1808. “One fact well understood by observation, and well guided development, is worth a thousand times more than a thousand words” – The American Journal of Education , 1858.

The idea that a picture can convey what might take many words to express was voiced by a character in Ivan S. Turgenev’s novel Fathers and Sons, 1862:

“The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.”

“Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.”

Related phrases and meanings

Browse more phrases, about the author, gary martin, phrases & meanings, how did we do.

A picture is worth a thousand words

| Grammarist

The proverb a picture is worth a thousand words is probably not as old as you think. A proverb is a short, common saying or phrase. It particularly gives advice or shares a universal truth. We will examine the definition of the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words , where the expression came from as well as some examples of its use in sentences.

The phrase a picture is worth a thousand words means a picture may convey an idea more quickly and effectively than the written word. Writers of texts that describe concepts involving imagery or abstract thoughts need many words to get their points across. A photograph, artwork, drawing or graphics can often demonstrate an idea with one look, much more quickly than a narrative can explain things. A photograph or artwork may depict emotion, enabling the viewer to perceive the essence of the story without a word being written or spoken. Readers of articles or books must engage in a large amount of effort to mentally process the words in order to understand what the writer is trying to convey. Someone who simply views an image can capture the essence of the meaning of that image without a lot of explaining. The viewer may gain some insight from an image, however, even photographs are open to interpretation. A photographer may crop the picture, leaving out a factor that may be of some importance. He may highlight a point of view that does not tell the whole story. The viewer may not understand the context of what he is looking at, where a literary essay or some other written text may explain things more fully. While the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words has been labeled as a Chinese proverb and attributed to the philosopher, Confucius, in fact it is an American expression. The idea seems to have first been put forth around the turn of the twentieth century by a newspaper editor Tess Flanders, discussing strategies in publishing, editing and news reporting. The term was popularized in the 1920s by Fred R. Barnard, who is often credited with the origin of the proverb. He used the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words to discuss the use of drawn and photographic images to illustrate advertising. It was Barnard who ascribed the proverb to the Chinese, and later, the Japanese. He also used the term a picture is worth ten thousand words , though one thousand is the current quantity used in the expression. The phrase a picture is worth a thousand words is usually referring to a physical illustration, but it is occasionally used as an exhortation to use description in one’s writing, rather than simply reciting facts.

Examples They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what happens when a photo’s caption is said to be untrue? ( Lancaster Farming) The inspiration for my project, “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words: Using Art to Study Culture and History,” came when I taught 10th-graders in an advanced English class specific to the Cambridge International program. ( The Herald Tribune ) “It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words,” U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III wrote above three pictures depicting mice near and, in one case, resting on top of the device. (USA Today) If “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then think of the slide as the thousand words you won’t have time to say — a supportive addition to your words. ( Forbes Magazine )

Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

What Does a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Mean?

Ever tried to describe a place you visited to someone, and gone on and on about how wonderful it was, only to end up saying something to the effect of, “I guess you’d have to see it to believe it”? It makes sense. After all, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” as they say. Let’s explore the meaning and history of this popular idiomatic and proverbial expression.

Your writing, at its best

Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant

As illustrated above, this phrase is used to express that it can be easier to show something in a picture than to describe it by speaking words or using the written word. More specifically, it’s saying that often one single picture can more effectively convey something, or can depict something more vividly and clearly, than a lot of words—and can certainly do so faster. That’s why you may also hear or see the phrase as one picture is worth a thousand words . (It is also often written with a conjunction as a picture’s worth a thousand words .)

For example, it’s often easier to understand how to put a piece of furniture together by looking at pictures or illustrations, or even watching a video, of the necessary steps than it is to read paragraphs of instructions in a manual. Likewise, it’s typically much simpler and quicker to figure out how to get from point A to point B by looking at a map than it is listening to someone tell you or reading about all the turns to make and landmarks to be on the lookout for on your drive.

The History of the Expression

Ironically, it’s going to take quite a few words to explain the etymology of the common phrase. As is often the case with both idioms and proverbs in general, the exact origin of this expression isn’t known.

Similar expressions have been in use since at least the 1700s. In particular, it appears phrases using is worth a thousand words or is worth ten thousand words were common in the 18th and 19th century. For example, the similar phrase one timely deed is worth ten thousand words appeared in The Works of Mr. James Thomson , which is thought to have been originally published some time in the 1760s. (The playwright Henrick Ibsen is credited as saying something very similar in the late 19th century: “A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.”) Other phrases that can be traced to the 1800s convey that a tear is worth ten thousand words and that a well-understood fact is worth more than a thousand words. The specific idea that a picture is worth a thousand, or ten thousand, words is thought by some researchers to have first appeared in print in 1862, in the novel Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev. A character in the book says: “The drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book.” However, there’s evidence that others expressed this earlier, and even much earlier. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “A good sketch is better than a long speech,” while Leonardo da Vinci wrote that a poet would be “overcome by sleep and hunger before [being able to] describe with words what a painter is able to [depict] in an instant.”

Fast forward to the early 20th century, to 1911 exactly, when the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club held a journalism banquet. In an article in the Syracuse, New York, newspaper The Post-Standard about the event, the journalist quotes a speaker, Tess Flanders, as saying, “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” Others credit the quote to that event but to newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane. Whoever said it, their words were clearly very similar to the expression we know and use today, although not exactly the same. Shortly after, in 1913, an advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio, used the phrase one look is worth a thousand words .

It’s possible that the exact expression a picture is worth a thousand words first appeared in print in 1918: A newspaper advertisement for the San Antonio Light said:

“One of the Nation’s Greatest Editors Says:

One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words The San Antonio Light’s Pictorial Magazine of the War Exemplifies the truth of the above statement—judging from the warm reception it has received at the hands of the Sunday Light readers.”

Still, credit for modern use of the phrase is usually given to Frederick R. Barnard (or Fred R. Barnard), who wrote the phrase in the advertising trade journal Printers’ Ink (sometimes incorrectly written as Printer’s Ink ) to promote the use of images in advertisements on the sides of streetcars. In one ad, Barnard called the phrase a Chinese proverb (he later wrote that it was said by a Japanese philosopher), though he didn’t have proof of such an origin. Because of this, sometimes the expression is incorrectly attributed to Confucius. In the same publication, around the same time period, the phrase one look is worth a thousand words can be found.

What Are Idioms and Proverbs?

A picture is worth a thousand words is considered both an idiom and a proverb. An idiom is an expression with an intended meaning that typically can’t fully be understood just by looking at the individual words that comprise it. Idioms have figurative rather than literal meanings. Even if you’ve never heard the term idiom , you have most likely heard many idiomatic expressions. Here are just a few of the most common idioms used today:

You’re in hot water. His boss gave him the ax. It’s time to face the music. You’ve hit the nail on the head. If you took the first example literally, you’d think it was describing a person standing in a bathtub full of hot water, perhaps. But the expression is actually used to describe a person who’s in trouble. Likewise, rather than literally being handed a tool for chopping wood, if you get the ax from your boss, it means you’re getting fired. It’s time to face the music means that it’s time to come to terms with the consequences of your actions. And when someone has hit the nail on the head, they’ve gotten an answer exactly right or done something exactly as it should have been done. Although you might be able to understand the expression a picture is worth a thousand words just by looking at the words that comprise it, if you were to take it purely literally, you’d understand it to mean that a picture is worth or is the same as/equivalent to exactly one thousand words. Of course, now you know that like other idioms, the phrase is used more figuratively, to convey the notion that an image can often more effectively and more succinctly say something than lots of words can (with lots not being defined as a specific number). Proverbs are short, common phrases or sayings that impart advice or share a universal truth. Interestingly, some people debate the truth of the above statement, with many arguing that the use of both images and words is the best way to get something across. Proverbs are also called adages, aphorisms, and maxims . Here are some additional examples of well-known proverbs: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Blood is thicker than water . A picture is worth a thousand words. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . Discover many more idioms and proverbs here . <H2>Summary<H2> The idiomatic and proverbial expression a picture is worth a thousand words is used to convey that a picture, or image, or graphic illustration may better convey or describe something than many written or spoken words—that it may be easier, and much faster, to just show someone something than to tell them about it. Although its exact origins are unknown, the phrase and the idea it conveys have been around, and remained popular, for quite some time.

Maggie Cramer

For the past 15 years, I've dedicated my career to words and language, as a writer, editor, and communications specialist and as a language arts educator. I'm excited to explore all things English with you and The Word Counter!

I currently reside in Asheville, North Carolina. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary English Education from the University of Florida.

You can find me on LinkedIn , or access my online portfolio here !

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Alliteration
Anachronism
Antimetabole
Aposiopesis
Characterization
Colloquialism
Connotation
Deus Ex Machina
Didacticism
Doppelganger
Double Entendre
Flash Forward
Foreshadowing
Internal Rhyme
Juxtaposition
Non Sequitur
Onomatopoeia
Parallelism
Pathetic Fallacy
Personification
Poetic Justice
Point of View
Portmanteau
Protagonist
Red Herring
Superlative
Synesthesia
Tragicomedy
Tragic Flaw
Verisimilitude

English Conversation Lessons
English Essay Topics
English Autobiography Examples
Report Writing
Letter Writing
Expansion of Ideas(English Proverbs)
English Grammar
English Debate Topics
English Stories
English Speech Topics
English Poems
Riddles with Answers
English Idioms
Simple English Conversations
Greetings & Wishes
Thank you Messages
Premium Plans
Student’s Log In
1 item ₹150.00

. » Expansion of Ideas » A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Expansion of an Idea – “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” for Students / Teachers / Parents

Explore the famous saying “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”. We believe that this phrase highlights the power of visual communication and the impact it can have on conveying complex ideas. Through our insightful articles, we provide a deeper understanding of the idiom and offer practical tips on how to enhance writing skills. Join us on this journey to become better communicators and harness the power of imagery.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

The proverb “a picture is worth a thousand words” is a well-known saying that suggests that a single image can convey more information or meaning than a lengthy description or explanation. This proverb highlights the power of visual communication and the impact that an image can have on a viewer.

The expansion of this proverb could be that “a single image can convey a complex idea or emotion more effectively than a thousand words.” This proverb is applicable to various situations where words may fail to capture the full essence of a concept or emotion.

The proverb suggests that images can be incredibly powerful tools for communication, and can convey complex ideas or emotions in a way that is immediately understandable and relatable. It implies that images can have a stronger impact on a viewer than words alone, as they can evoke an emotional response and create a lasting impression.

Furthermore, this proverb encourages individuals to consider the use of visual communication in their own work, whether it be in art, design, or marketing. It reminds us that images have the power to tell a story, convey a message, and create a strong emotional connection with the viewer.

In conclusion, the proverb “a picture is worth a thousand words” highlights the power of visual communication and the impact that an image can have on a viewer. It encourages individuals to consider the use of images in their own work and to appreciate the effectiveness of visual communication in conveying complex ideas and emotions. It is a reminder that sometimes, a single image can speak louder than a thousand words.

English Courses

Mom & Son Breakfast Talk
Dad & Son Breakfast Talk
Going Out for Breakfast
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast Table Conversation
Talking about Household Chores
Power Outage Conversation
Speaking About Vegetables
Talk About Television
Telephone Conversation in English
Renting an Apartment Vocabulary
Talking about Pets
Self Introduction Conversation
Introduce Yourself in English
Morning Walk Conversation
Make New Friends Conversation
English Speaking with Friends
Conversation Between Siblings
Talking about Smartphones
Talking About City Life
English Conversation on the Bus
Talking about Dust Allergy
Talking about Food Allergies
Brushing Teeth Conversation
Replacing Worn out Toothbrush
Brushing Teeth with Braces
Switching to Herbal Toothpaste
Benefits of using Tongue Cleaner
Talking about Illness
Talking about Fitness and Health
Talking About Fitness for Kids
Visiting a Doctor Conversation
Speaking about Lifestyle
Conversation about Air Pollution
Using an ATM Conversation
Opening a Bank Account
Car Accident Conversation
Talking about Accident
Exam Conversation with Kids
At the Library Conversation
Talking about Studies
Offline vs Online School
Internet Vocabulary and Dialogues
Advantages of Homeschooling
Inviting for Birthday Party
Phone Conversation
Asking for Directions
Conversation on the Plane
At the Airport Conversation
Lost and Found Conversation
Museum Vocabulary
Conversation about Traffic
Order Food Over the Phone
At the Restaurant Conversation
Talking about Music
English Music Vocabulary
Talk on Music Band
Shopping for Clothes
Buying a Smartphone
Ordering Flowers Conversation
English Conversation in Vegetable Market
At the Supermarket
At the Pharmacy
Friends Talking about Chess
Importance of Outdoor Activities
Talking About Football
Weekend Plans Conversation
At the Beach Conversation
New Job Conversation
Business English Conversation
Expressing Boredom in English
English Conversation at the Salon
English Speaking at the Bakery
Talking About Studies
Siblings Studying Together
Speaking about Outdoor Activities
Talk About Photography
Essay on My School
Essay on Summer Vacation
Essay on Time Management
Essay on Hard Work
Essay on Health is Wealth
Essay on Time is Money
Republic Day Essay
Essay on My Hobby
Essay on Myself
Essay on My Teacher
Essay on My Best Friend
Essay on My Family
Essay on My Mother
Essay on My Father
Essay on Friendship
Essay on Global Warming
Essay on Child Labor
Essay on Mahatma Gandhi
Essay on Holi
Essay on Pollution
Essay on Education
Essay on Air Pollution
Essay on Communication
Essay on Doctor
Essay on Environment
Essay on Gender Inequality
Essay on Happiness
Essay on Healthy Food
Essay on My Favorite Festival Diwali
Essay on My Favorite Sport
Essay on My Parents
Essay on Overpopulation
Essay on Poverty
Essay on Travelling
Essay on Unemployment
Essay on Unity in Diversity
Essay on Water Pollution
Essay on Water
Essay on Women Empowerment
Essay on Yoga
Essay on Christmas
Autobiography of a Book
Autobiography of a Brook
Autobiography of a Camera
Autobiography of a Cat
Autobiography of a Classroom
Autobiography of a Coin
Autobiography of a Dog
Autobiography of a Doll
Autobiography of a Farmer
Autobiography of a Flower
Autobiography of a Football
Autobiography of a Haunted House
Autobiography of a House
Autobiography of a Kite
Autobiography of a Library
Autobiography of a Mobile Phone
Autobiography of a Mosquito
Autobiography of a Newspaper
Autobiography of a Pen
Autobiography of a Pencil
Autobiography of a River
Autobiography of a Table
Autobiography of a Tiger
Autobiography of a Tree
Autobiography of an Umbrella
Autobiography of Bicycle
Autobiography of Bird
Autobiography of Chair
Autobiography of Clock
Autobiography of Computer
Autobiography of Earth
Autobiography of Lion
Autobiography of Peacock
Autobiography of Rain
Autobiography of a Soldier
Autobiography of Sun
Autobiography of Water Bottle
Autobiography of Water Droplet
Adopting a Village
Teaching Children in an Adopted Village
Programs Organized in an Adopted Village
Volunteering in an Adopted Village
Activities in an Adopted Village
School Annual Day Celebration
Republic Day Celebration
Teachers Day Celebration
World Environment Day Celebration
Children’s Day Celebration
Visiting the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre
The Animal Sanctuary Visit
Animal Shelter Visit
Animal Rescue Center Visit
Adult Literacy Camp
Burglary of Jewelry
India Wins Test Match
School Children Affected by Food Poisoning
Heavy Rains in Mumbai
School Children Injured in Bus Accident
Complaint Letter to the Chairman of Housing Society
Request Letter to the Municipal Corporation
Complaint Letter to the State Electricity Board
Suggestion Letter to the Chief Minister
Request Letter to the District Collector
Request Letter to the Commissioner of Police
Application Letter for an Internship
Application Letter for a Job
Request Letter for a Character Certificate
Request Letter for a Better Lab and Library
Global Warming Debate
Animal Rights Debate
Climate Change Debate
Gun Control Debate
Role of Religion in Society Debate
Republic Day Speech
Poems about Life
Poems about Nature
Poems for Boys
Poems for Girls
Poems for Mothers
Poems for Friends
Poems for Kids
Poems about Trees
Poems about Peace
Funny Poems
Poems About Climate Change
Poems about Dreams
Poems about Education
Poems about Environment
Poems about Eyes
Poems about Family
Poems about Fear
Poems about Feminism
Poems about Flowers
Poems about Freedom
Poems about Friendship
Poems about Happiness
Poems about History
Poems about Hope
Poems about India
Poems about Joy
Poems about Loneliness
Poems about Love
Poems about Night
Poems about Power
Poems about Water
Poems about Women Empowerment
Poems about Women’s Rights
Poems on Earth
Poems on Home
Poems on Honesty
Poems on Humanity
Poems on Jungle
Poems on Kindness
Poems on Mental Health
Poems on Moon
Poems on Music
Poems on Patriotism
A Bad Workman Always Blames His Tools
A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush
A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
A Watched Pot Never Boils
Absence Make the Heart Grow Fonder
Actions Speak Louder than Words
All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
All Good Things Must Come To an End
All Is Fair in Love and War
All That Glitters is Not Gold
All’s Well That Ends Well
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
An Empty Vessel Makes Much Noise
An Idle Mind is Devil’s Workshop
As You Sow, So Shall You Reap
Barking Dogs Seldom Bite
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Beggars can’t be Choosers
Better Late than Never
Better the Devil You Know than the Devil You Don’t
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Blood is Thicker than Water
Boys will be Boys
Charity Begins at Home
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
Curiosity Killed the Cat
Don’t Bite Off More than You Chew
Don’t Bite the Hand that Feeds You
Don’t Blow Your Own Trumpet
Don’t Count your Chickens Before They Hatch
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk
Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse
Don’t Throw The Baby Out With the Bathwater
Early to Bed and Early to Rise Makes a Man Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise
Easy Come, Easy Go
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Every Dog Has His Day
Fools Rush in Where Angels Fear to Tread
Fortune Favors the Bold
Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day; Teach a Man to Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime
Give Credit Where Credit is Due
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
Half a Loaf is Better Than None
Haste Makes Waste
Health is Wealth
Honesty is the Best Policy
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again
If It ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
If the Shoe Fits, Wear It
If you can’t Beat them, Join them
If you Want Something Done Right, Do It Yourself
Ignorance is Bliss
It ain’t Over Till the Fat Lady Sings
It Takes Two to Tango
It’s a Small World
It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn
It’s Better to Ask Forgiveness than Permission
Its Better to Be Safe than Sorry
It’s Better to Give than to Receive
It’s Never Too Late to Mend
It’s not What you Know, it’s Who you Know
Jack of All Trades, Master of None
Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer
Keep Your Mouth Shut and Your Eyes Open
Kill Two Birds with One Stone
Knowledge is Power
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Leave No Stone Unturned
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Life is a Journey, Not a Destination
Life is Like a Box of Chocolates; You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get
Like Father, Like Son
Look Before You Leap
Love Conquers All
Make Hay While The Sun Shines
Money Can’t Buy Happiness
Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
Money Talks
Necessity is the Mother of Invention
No Man is an Island
No Pain, No Gain
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Patience is a Virtue
Practice Makes Perfect
Prevention is Better than Cure
Rome Wasn’t Built in A Day
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
The Early Bird Catches the Worm
The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side
The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword
The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating
There is No Place Like Home
There’s No Time Like the Present
Time Heals All Wounds
Time is Money
Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth
Two Heads are Better than One
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
You Can Lead a Horse to Water, But You Can’t Make it Drink
You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
You Can’t Make an Omelet Without Breaking Eggs
You Scratch My Back, And I’ll Scratch Yours
You’re Never Too Old to Learn
You’re Only As Strong As Your Weakest Link
Parts of Speech
Lola’s Dream
Snowy Learns to Brave the Rain
The Ant Explorer
The Blind Archer
The Brave Ant
The Disguised King
The Enchanted Blade
The Enchanted Garden of Melodies
The Endless Bag
The Faithful Companion
The Farmer’s Treasure
The Frog and the Mischievous Fishes
The Fruit Seller’s Fortune
The Generous Monkey of the Forest
The Gentle Giant
A Blessing in Disguise
A Dime a Dozen
A Piece of Cake
Apple of My Eye
As Easy as Pie
Back to the Drawing Board
Beat Around the Bush
Bite the Bullet
Break a Leg
Butterflies in My Stomach
By the Skin of Your Teeth
Caught Red-Handed
Come Rain or Shine
Cool as a Cucumber
Cry over Spilled Milk
Cut the Mustard
Devil’s Advocate
Down to the Wire
Drink Like a Fish
Eating Habits
Supermarket
Vegetable Market
College Canteen
Household Topics
Diwali Festival
Republic Day Wishes
Birthday wishes for kids
Birthday Wishes for Sister
Birthday Wishes for Brother
Birthday Wishes for Friend
Birthday Wishes for Daughter
Birthday Wishes for Son
Women’s Day Wishes
Thanks for Birthday Wishes
Thank You Messages for Friends
Thanks for Anniversary Wishes

Justin Morgan

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy , ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does "a Picture Is worth a Thousand Words" Mean?

The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” is used to talk about metaphorical ideas of value; generally, it means that more information can be conveyed with a picture or image than with a whole lot of text. This phrase can be used in many similar ways to talk about relative value, but for many, it is most commonly used in a discussion of media, as an actual comparison between different visual and text forms.

Many language experts believe that the phrase originated in America in the 1920s. Certain magazines included this phrase, and according to some historians, falsely attributed it to Asian sources, most notably, to the philosopher Confucius. It seems that the true origin of this phrase was within American society, and that it was built on a larger societal trend of using this kind of comparison to indicate value. For example, those who study early American newspapers and other literature point out that many people were in the habit of saying that various things were worth “a thousand words.”

It’s also interesting to note that, in many uses of the phrase in the 1920s, the actual number cited varies. While some instances used the standard number, others are written “a picture is worth ten thousand words.” This variance shows how he phrase was likely built by popular usage over time.

Some of those who study contemporary culture and media find an interesting correlation in the use of the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” to a new shift in the popularity of media formats. It seems that, with the invention of easily recorded, transported, and viewed digital image formats, the overall “print media” cedes more and more ground to visual forms of communication including television, cinema, and video streamed through the Internet. By contrast, as newspapers around the world cut their newsroom staffs, various magazines close their doors, and electronic readers take over readership from traditional printed volumes, print media in general seems to be on the decline, or at least to be in transition, in many areas of the world.

Editors' Picks

What Does "All That Glitters Is Not Gold" Mean?
What Is the Difference between an Idiom and a Phrase?
What Are the Different Types of Idioms?
What does "Reinvent the Wheel" Mean?
What is an Idiom?

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” Meaning with Helpful Examples

You may have heard the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” many times in conversation or in written text. It is a commonly used phrase in the English language, and can be used easily within informal conversations. But where did this saying come from and what exactly does it mean? We are going to take a look at the meaning behind this saying and what its origins are.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

A picture is worth a thousand words meaning.

A picture is worth a thousand words is a phrase which talks about how a visual image can mean a lot more than words. When trying to explain a profound meaning behind a situation, person or item, you can spend hours trying to describe it with words and yet a simple picture of the thing can explain it much more quickly and efficiently.

Origin of this English idiom

The origin behind the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” began in the early 1900s when the saying was very first coined by Henrik Ibsen whilst he was dying. The phrase was then used in advertising circles a few years later. A man named Fred R Barnard later made the phrase famous by using it on adverts which were on the sides of streetcars. This was happening in the 1920s and so shows that the phrase has been used for around 100 years.

“A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words” Examples

You might use the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” in a conversation where you are being taught something and do not understand the written explanation. In this instance you might ask your tutor for a visual example and say “I would find it easier to understand because after all, a picture is worth a thousand words .”

You might also use it when looking at a photograph of a happy memory and seeing the smiles on the faces in the image, you might remember the memory and tell someone with you “ a picture is worth a thousand words in remembering this day.”

Conversation examples:

Some examples of a conversation which includes this phrase are:

Conversation 1:

Person 1: Look at this photograph of my baby daughter.
Person 2: That is beautiful. Is that her favourite toy in the picture with her?
Person 1: Yes, it’s hard to explain how much she loves that doll.
Person 2: There’s no need, look how much she is smiling, a picture is worth a thousand words .

Conversation 2:

Teacher: The human body contains many organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, stomach, and many more.
Student: Where are these organs placed in the body?
Teacher: I could explain it to you, but take a look at this diagram, it will be much easier, after all a picture is worth a thousand words .

Other Ways to Say This Phrase

Whilst the most common way to express the meaning of the phrase is by saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” there are other variations of the saying, which include:

Use a picture, it’s worth a thousand words.
An image can speak a thousand words
The drawing shows me at one glance, what a book can show me in many pages

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words | Picture

Latest Posts

Adverbs Worksheet – Adverbs Exercises - December 21, 2023
What Does the Term “Rapport” Mean? - November 28, 2023
What Does the Term “Solidarity” Mean? - November 28, 2023

Exploring History with the National Archives Special Media Division

The Unwritten Record

“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

“A picture is worth a thousand words….”

Or so the saying goes. In reality, a photograph only documents a second in time, and as time goes on, it is easy to forget why a particular moment was so important to capture. However, well-captioned photographs can tell us stories; they can give us information about the subject in the photograph that cannot be ascertained simply by looking at the image. In some instances, photo captions give us information about a subject or an event that cannot be found in any other type of record. So, while a photograph itself may be worth a thousand words, those words can be lost with time, making real words – captions – of the utmost importance.

The following photographs are examples of images that, on the surface, may appear unremarkable or uninteresting. It is the caption information attached to the pictures that give the images substance and meaning.

All of the photographs included in this blog post are held and maintained by the NARA Still Picture unit. The images presented within this blog post are free of copyright restrictions and as such, the photographs may be used without permission. Should you wish to use any of the photos included here, we simply ask that the images are cited using our photo ID numbers. The following are examples of preferred credit lines:

National Archives photo no. 286-MP-YUG-23

Credit National Archives (photo no. 238-NT-99 )

Courtesy National Archives, photo no. 75-N-SACR-3

National Archives (111-SC-202199)

Unlocking the Power of Visualization: ‘A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words’

by English Plus | Dec 12, 2023 | Word Power

Episode Audio

A picture is worth a thousand words, episode script, literal meaning (visual imagery over verbal description):, metaphorical meaning (effectiveness of visual communication):, expressive meaning (conveying complex ideas simply):, emotional impact (capturing emotions and atmosphere):, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in advertising:, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in journalism:, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in education:, “a picture is worth a thousand words” in presentations:, origin of “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

Join Danny on English Plus Express as we delve into the timeless expression, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This episode explores the depth and versatility of this phrase, demonstrating the power of visual communication. Through engaging examples and real-life applications, we uncover the beauty of this expression and how it enhances our understanding of language and imagery. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or simply curious about the nuances of English expressions, this episode offers insights that will enrich your appreciation of language. Tune in and discover how a single picture can speak volumes!

Hey everyone! Welcome to English Plus Express. I’m Danny, your linguistic tour guide, ready to dive into the colorful world of expressions. Today’s journey takes us to a well-known saying that’s as vivid as it is profound: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Now, this isn’t just about photographs or paintings. It’s about the immense power of visualization. Ever tried explaining the sunset to someone? No matter how poetic your words, sometimes, only a picture can capture that fiery sky, right? That’s the essence of our expression today.

This saying dates back to the early 20th century, a time when advertising was just beginning to understand the impact of images. But let’s bring it to the present. Think about emojis. Yes, those tiny, colorful symbols. A single emoji can convey what might take a whole sentence. A smiling face with heart-eyes? That’s like saying, “I love this so much!” without typing a word. That’s our expression in action in the digital age.

But it’s not just about brevity. It’s about the depth of expression. Consider a photograph from a historical event, like the moon landing. That single image encapsulates excitement, achievement, and human endeavor, telling a story far beyond what words alone could.

Let’s turn to advertising. Ever seen a billboard with just a powerful image and a brand logo? That’s this expression at work. Advertisers know that an impactful image can convey a lifestyle, a feeling, or an aspiration more effectively than a paragraph of persuasive text.

Now, think about how you can use this in your life. Maybe you’re giving a presentation. Instead of crowding your slides with bullet points, why not use a striking image to make your point? It’s not only more effective but also more memorable.

In storytelling, too, this expression holds power. A good writer knows when to describe a scene in detail and when to let a metaphorical ‘picture’ do the talking. It’s about striking that perfect balance between words and imagery.

So, as you go about your day, think about how you can apply this expression. Maybe it’s in how you communicate with friends, in a creative project, or even in understanding the world around you.

Thank you for tuning into English Plus Express. If you’ve enjoyed exploring the vibrant world of expressions with me, don’t forget to follow, share, and maybe consider supporting us on Patreon for more enriching content. Your support helps us continue unraveling the fascinating aspects of language and communication. Until next time, keep appreciating the power of words and pictures in your everyday life!

Meanings of “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

Example: In a photography class, the instructor might say, “Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words,” emphasizing the importance of conveying a story or emotion through imagery rather than lengthy explanations.

Example: A marketing professional explaining the concept of brand logos might say, “A picture is worth a thousand words; our logo needs to instantly communicate our brand’s values and appeal.”

Example: An architect might use this expression when showing a 3D model of a building design, suggesting that the model explains the concept more effectively than a verbal description: “As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Example: Viewing a powerful historical photograph, one might reflect, “This really proves that a picture is worth a thousand words,” acknowledging the deep emotional impact that the image holds.

Collocations with “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

Example: “In our latest campaign, we’ve focused on the principle that a picture is worth a thousand words, using impactful imagery to connect with our audience.”

Example: “In photojournalism, we often say a picture is worth a thousand words because a single photo can tell a story more powerfully than a written article.”

Example: “To help students understand complex concepts, I use visual aids because a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Example: “I’ve limited the text in my slides, adhering to the principle that a picture is worth a thousand words, to make the presentation more engaging.”

The origin of the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” is often attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who used it in the advertising trade journal “Printers’ Ink” in 1921 to promote the effectiveness of graphics in advertising. However, the phrase was labeled as a Chinese proverb to give it more credibility. There is no direct evidence that it originated from a Chinese proverb. The essence of the phrase likely predates this attribution, as the idea that visual representation can communicate complex ideas effectively is a longstanding concept in many cultures. The exact etymological origin remains uncertain, but its widespread usage in the 20th century, particularly in advertising and journalism, solidified its place in the English language.

Get Vocabulary Voyages E-Book for Free!

Build your vocabulary today in the context of 40 beautiful stories about profound words with interactive elements, QR codes, exercises and more, for FREE ! You will get the FULL E-Book not just a preview!

I will also be sending you the weekly digest to share with you the latest content I add here on the website.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and get your weekly dose of English Plus content!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

English Plus

Word Power | The Serene Symphony of Tranquility

by English Plus | Feb 8, 2024

In this soothing episode of “Word Power,” join Danny as we embark on a peaceful journey into the heart of tranquility. Beyond its quiet exterior, tranquility is a profound state of calmness and peace that resonates deeply within the soul, offering a sanctuary from the chaos of the everyday world.

Word Power | The Elegant Tapestry of Eloquence

by English Plus | Feb 6, 2024

In today’s mesmerizing episode of “Word Power,” host Danny delves into the rich and intricate world of “eloquence.” This episode unravels the beauty and power of eloquence, a word that signifies much more than mere fluency or persuasiveness in language. It’s about the art of expressing thoughts and emotions in a way that is both impactful and graceful.

Word Power | The Sparkling Charm of Effervescence

by English Plus | Feb 5, 2024

In this uplifting episode of “Word Power,” join Danny as he uncovers the bubbly and vibrant world of “effervescence.” Beyond its fizzy surface, effervescence is a word that captures the essence of vitality, enthusiasm, and the spirit of life itself.

The Impact of War on Literature and Storytelling: How Conflict Shapes Our Narratives

Sep 22, 2024 | Literary Echoes

Explore how war has influenced literature and storytelling, shaping narratives and characters in profound ways. Learn how conflict impacts creative expression and reflection.

Thailand’s Lantern Festival Yi Peng: A Glowing Celebration of Hope and Renewal

Sep 22, 2024 | Cultural Insights

Discover the beauty and cultural significance of Thailand’s Yi Peng Lantern Festival. Learn how this magical event represents hope, renewal, and the power of community.

Freedom: What Does It Mean to Be Truly Free?

Sep 21, 2024 | Lifelines

Explore the deeper meaning of freedom beyond its surface definition. Discover how to experience true freedom in your life by understanding its emotional and mental aspects.

What Does a Day in the Life of a Diplomat Look Like? Exploring the World of Diplomacy

Sep 21, 2024 | Career Insights

Discover what a typical day looks like for a diplomat. Learn about the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of a career in diplomacy with real-life insights.

What Would Society Look Like If We Didn’t Have to Work? Imagining a World Beyond Labor

Sep 20, 2024 | Spotlights Shorts

Explore a thought-provoking look at how society would change if we didn’t have to work. Discover the potential social, economic, and cultural impacts of a world without traditional labor.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation | Listening Comprehension

Sep 20, 2024 | Focus on Listening

Explore the relationship between entrepreneurship and innovation in this engaging lecture designed for high-intermediate to advanced English learners. Learn how entrepreneurs take risks, solve problems, and embrace innovation to shape the world around them.

Crossword Puzzles in Context (176)
Common Mistakes in English (5)
Cultural English (7)
English For Specific Purposes (3)
Focus on Business (8)
Focus on Grammar (8)
Focus on Literature (7)
Focus on Skills (7)
Focus on Speaking (7)
Focus on Vocabulary (8)
Focus on Writing (7)
Grammar And Vocabulary (6)
Idiomatic Expressions (8)
Listening and Speaking (3)
Reading and Writing (3)
Common Mistakes in English (14)
Countries (15)
Grammar (18)
History (16)
Literature (18)
Science (19)
Trivia (18)
Vocabulary (17)
English Expressions (58)
English Usage (14)
Flash Facts (54)
Great Stories (26)
Immortal People (27)
Know Yourself (54)
Poetry Shorts (40)
Proverbs (92)
Quotes (91)
Spotlights Shorts (45)
Word Power Shorts (55)
A Very Short History of the World (16)
Beyond Earth (2)
Big Ideas Explained (13)
Business Spotlights (43)
Career Insights (33)
Creative Writing Tips (25)
Cultural Insights (32)
Did You Know (31)
Editorial (14)
English Plus Multimedia (4)
Fact or Fiction (25)
Frequently Asked Questions (29)
General Spotlights (10)
Gods and Heroes (39)
Grammar Galaxy (2)
Health and Fitness (37)
Her Story (2)
History Spotlights (47)
Lessons from Everything (4)
Let's Get Creative (1)
Lifelines (12)
Literary Echoes (48)
Magazine Series (1)
Mysteries Revealed (29)
Planet Earth (26)
Curriculum Development (4)
Education Policy (4)
Education Spotlights (38)
Educational Technology (10)
Higher Education (2)
Language Learning Strategies (5)
Learning and the Brain (12)
Parent and Community (14)
Teacher Development (4)
Teaching Strategies (1)
Podcasting (2)
Polyglot (1)
Science Spotlights (56)
Short Introductions (184)
Social Spotlights (57)
The Journey Within (59)
Top Ten (12)
War and Peace (31)
101 Series (1)
Academy (2)
Ask Danny (1)
Bonus Episodes (1)
Business English (44)
Common Mistakes (7)
Discussions (5)
Down to Business (3)
Education for All (1)
English Express (21)
English in Context (1)
English Plus in Action (1)
English Plus Show (1)
Fantastic Guest (4)
Grammar (41)
History (22)
Know Thyself (2)
Let's Talk Literature (5)
Magazine Spotlights (1)
Masterclass (3)
Mythology (20)
Our Story (1)
Podumentary (2)
Poetry (33)
Pronunciation (4)
Real Conversations (7)
Science (20)
Society and Culture (9)
Stories (34)
Technology (1)
The Daily Digest (30)
The Universe (1)
Vocabulary Building (114)
Vocabulary in Context (2)
Vocabulary Voyages (3)
Word Power (87)
Writing (4)
Featured Articles (13)
Focus on Listening (19)
Red Dead Redemption (1)
The Last of Us (2)
The Odyssey (1)
Old Audio Series (6)
Premium Episodes (5)
Modern Business Essentials (4)
Super Special Posts (1)
Arts and Literature (6)
Immortal Books (8)
Immortals (6)
Ink & Ashes (1)
Literary Spotlights (1)
Myths and Legends (8)
NonFiction (1)
Phoenix Poetry (3)
Poet Diary (1)
Poetry for Everyone (6)
Project Orpheus (1)
Short Stories (2)
Short Stories for Everyone (5)
Writing Tips and Techniques (9)

Pin It on Pinterest

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words (Origin)

What is the origin of the saying "a picture paints a thousand words", competing theory.

Examples of Use:

A picture paints a thousand words , conveying meaning and emotion more effectively than mere written or spoken descriptions.
Instead of explaining the scene in detail, he showed them a photograph, understanding that a picture paints a thousand words .
The artist beautifully captured the essence of the landscape in their painting, reminding us that a picture paints a thousand words .
In the age of social media, we often rely on images to tell stories, as a picture paints a thousand words in a single glance.
They say a picture paints a thousand words , and the powerful photograph of the historic moment certainly spoke volumes.

Previous and Next Sayings

More proverbs, sayings, and idioms.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

You might also like...

Help us improve....

Was something wrong with this page?

Use #gm to find us quicker .

Create a QR code for this, or any, page.

mailing list

grammar forum

teachers' zone

Confirmatory test.

expand to full page

show as slides

download as .doc

print as handout

send as homework

display QR code

To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

a picture is worth a thousand words

Definition of a picture is worth a thousand words

Examples of a picture is worth a thousand words in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a picture is worth a thousand words.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near a picture is worth a thousand words

Cite this entry.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20picture%20is%20worth%20a%20thousand%20words. Accessed 22 Sep. 2024.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, plural and possessive names: a guide, the difference between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.', more commonly misspelled words, absent letters that are heard anyway, popular in wordplay, weird words for autumn time, much ado about ‘folie à deux’, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 9 superb owl words, 15 words that used to mean something different, games & quizzes.

Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

a picture is worth a thousand words

a picture is worth a thousand words also, a picture paints a thousand words

Meaning | Synonyms

a picture conveys information more effectively than words
a picture can tell a story just as well as many words
using graphics can convey ideas more effectively than a large number of words
graphic illustration conveys stronger messages than words

Example Sentences

A good presentation should contain more of graphics and less of text, since a picture is worth a thousand words .
In order to effectively convey the health hazards of smoking, a cigarette pack now contains a picture of diseased lungs, instead of just the statutory warning message. A picture is worth a thousand words .
The newspaper report carried more pictures of the event than text, since a picture is worth a thousand words .
Its easier to learn how a machine works from pictures rather than descriptions, since a picture is worth a thousand words .
It would be better if you drew out a map with the direction to the place rather than just telling me. A picture is worth a thousand words .
Jane’s reaction in the picture is so weird about her boss – someone truly said that a picture paints a thousand words .
Such a beautiful portrait of a little girl – represents how a picture paints a thousand words .

This phrase originated in America in the early 1900s. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, an advertising executive. However, other references to its origin also exist.

Henrik Ibsen first said:

“A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed.”

After he died in 1906 the phrase was plagiarised and rephrased into the present form we know today.

In March 1911, the Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club held a banquet to discuss journalism and advertising. In an article on The Post-Standard covering this event, the author mentioned Tess Flanders as saying: “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.”

A similar phrase, “One Look Is Worth A Thousand Words”, appears in a 1913 newspaper advertisement for the Piqua Auto Supply House of Piqua, Ohio .

The most likely origin and also the oldest printed record of the phrase in its exact form is believed to be in 1918 in an American newspaper, The San Antonio Light, which first published it in an advertisement for the paper itself, which reads:

One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words The San Antonio Light’s Pictorial Magazine of the War Exemplifies the truth of the above statement—judging from the warm reception it has received at the hands of the Sunday Light readers.

Share your opinions 1 Opinion

The information about the historical origin: In fact, Arthur Brisbane (not Tess Flanders) is quoted in saying “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words”. There are two articles (within a month of each other) that report this phrase. The first uses quotation marks which, after tracing whom the journalist is referring to, in fact does refer to Brisbane. The second is written by Brisbane who uses the phase unquoted. Both articles corroborate with additional quotations attributed to and given by Brisbane, and in reference to the same event.

‒ Brian July 14, 2021

What's on your mind?

Colour , Numbers , Proverbs

Similar Idioms

shades of grey
in the black
still waters run deep

Lesson Plan

Feb. 15, 2013, 8:12 p.m.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Art/Media, Social Studies, ELA, English, Civics

Estimated Time

Two class periods of 45 minutes, including one evening of homework

Grade Level

Grades 7-12

Students will analyze documentary photographs and discuss their context in the history of the United States. Students will evaluate the impact of the media on society Students will create journal entries and/or art inspired by subjects of famous documentary photographs.

While the expression “A picture is worth 1,000 words” is meant to convey that an image means more than “talk,” images can also compel us to volunteer, donate money, vote a certain way, or join a group. Discussion is just the beginning. Some attribute the expression, “Un bon croquis vaut mieux qu’un long discours,” or “A good sketch is better than a long speech” to emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Photographs can be even more convincing, especially if they are not altered by digital editing software. Take a look at the cover photo for this lesson one more time. What do you see? How do you feel looking at the image? Why do you think the photographer took the picture?

Guatemalan migrant Corio, who is waiting for her court hearing for asylum seekers that returned to Mexico to await their legal proceedings under a new policy established by the U.S. government, baths her daughter at migrant shelter in Ciudad Juarez

Photographs can tell use about times and places where we have not been or remind us of details we may not have noticed in a given moment. A photographer, like any artist, can bring his or her own point of view into their work by choosing the setting, repositioning their subject, and even choosing the lighting conditions in which they shoot the picture. All of these choices influence how we see what the photographer wants us to see.

Sometimes, the subject is unaware of the impact that the photo being taken can have on others. Often, this is because the experience they are having while being photographed requires all of their attention, such as feeding hungry children, or even walking to school safely. The implications of what the image could become, 10, 50, or 100 years from now are hard to fathom.

Step 1 Explain to students that there are some photographs that pull in the viewer and are so compelling, they can evoke an emotion of motivation to act.

Share with students images linked below, and share the summaries of each image (included). Stress the simplicity of each image, and then, why an image can have historical significance. There are 4 examples below. Each link contains the image that can be projected on a screen in class, or viewed on a computer monitor.

Migrant Mother (1936)

In 1936 Dorothea Lange photographed a mother of seven who was a migrant worker. She was following the pea harvest but the ground was frozen, leaving nothing to pick. The mother was housing her family in a lean-to, having just sold the family tent and the tires off the family car. While she was 32 when the image was taken, she appears to be a much older woman. These images were used to document the work of the Resettlement Administration, later called the Farm Security Administration.

This image, called “Migrant Mother”, was immediately published in a San Francisco paper and the federal government sent 20,000 pounds of food to the camp where she was photographed. It is said that it inspired John Steinbeck to write “Grapes of Wrath”. Lange later said she was drawn to the site after completing her work, and mailing her film back to Washington, DC. She only shot five images, and did not approach anyone but Florence Owens Thompson at the camp.

Teacher note: Students may better understand the context of Dorothea Lange’s work by seeing other images she has taken throughout her career. Here is a Dorothea Lange slideshow from the Museum of Modern Art.

Dorothy Counts (1957)

In 1957, fifteen-year-old Dorothy Geraldine Counts and three other students became the first African American students to attend the previously all-white Harding High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were greeted by angry white mobs that screamed obscenities and racial slurs at the African American students. Counts’ picture appeared in many newspapers, as did others of black students attempting to attend white schools for the first time. Counts’ family feared for her safety and withdrew her from Harding and sent her to a completely integrated high school in Pennsylvania, after four days of her enduring the taunting. The image, by Douglas Martin for the Associated Press, was the photo of the year in 1957.

Later that year, language was added to the decision Brown Vs. Board Of Education that read that communities were to desegregate their schools “with all deliberate speed.”

Robert Kennedy is Assassinated (1968)

On June 5, 1968, Robert Kennedy learned that he had been nominated as the Democratic candidate for President, just months after the death of his brother, John Fitzgerald Kennedy had been captured on film. It was an assassin’s bullet that hit Robert Kennedy just after midnight in the Ambassador Hotel, as he exited the ballroom through the kitchen.

While there are theories about whether or not there was one assassin or two, it cannot be disputed that Kennedy was photographed in the arms of a 17-year old busboy named Juan Romero, a Mexican immigrant who later confessed that he traded tasks with his co-workers to meet his role model that evening. He’d been the subject of much discrimination at work and was inspired by Kennedy’s plans for The United States.

The politician was bleeding from the head as Romero supported him and offered prayers of comfort to his idol, who died 26 hours later. Bill Eppridge, a photojournalist who was assigned to cover the campaign captured the image. In 2004, Eppridge said, “It went through my mind not to take the picture, but this was history.”

Hubert Humphrey replaced Robert Kennedy as the democratic nominee for President, who was unable to defeat Richard Nixon. After Robert Kennedy’s assassination, the United States Secret Service provided protection to presidential candidates.

The Afghan Girl (1985, 2002)

In 2002, the face of another woman caught the attention of the world. Sharbat Gula, thought to be 29, was found in the mountains of Pakistan, some 17 years after an image of her piercing green eyes turned the attention of the world to the plight of refugees. Known since June 1985 as simply, “The Afghan Girl,” orphaned at six due to a Soviet bombing, her grandmother leads her on foot to various camps in Pakistan. She had never been photographed since that visit and was surprised that millions had seen her photo.

By examining patterns in her irises, the part of the eye that is a brilliant green, an ophthalmologist in Pakistan and a forensic examiner for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., confirmed that the girl in the image was Sharbat Gula. Her request to help girls, like her own, to receive a proper education resulted in the founding of a $1,000,000 project now called the Afghan Children’s Fund.

Step 2 Class discussion. Ask students to examine each of the photographs described in this lesson. What components of the image stand out? Is there a sign of weakness or strength? Does the image appear posed? Think about why the image was taken from the angle the photographer chose. Does it bring the viewer closer the subject? Are there details in the image that tell more of the story? Which elements bring up new questions?

Step 3 Be a journalist. Ask each student to select one photograph and write a headline for the newspaper story about the incident documented in the image. Follow the headline with a two-paragraph story summarizing a) what transpired as the photograph was being taken and b) what actions transpired after the event, such as a donation, or a political action. Think about what impact that action had on the individual in the photograph, and/or on the community in which they live.

Step 4 Journal idea. What right does the public have to see a photo of you? For each of the examples cited, at least one subject of the image did not experience a direct or immediate improvement in their lives after being photographed. Should the photographers tell subjects how their photographs would or could be used? Could a photographer predict this, in a moment, or would the moment be lost? If you are in a public place, should you have the right to refuse to be photographed? Do photographers have the right to ask subjects to stand a certain way in a documentary-style image, if it is for a “greater good”? Who decides?

In a journal or during a class discussion, consider how much of a choice these people had over being a part of history. Ask the student to take on the role of one of the following:

Florence Owens Thompson ("The Migrant Mother")
Dorothy Counts ("The student being harassed by a mob")
Sharbat Gula ("The Afghan Girl")
Jose Romero ("The Mexican busboy at the Ambassador Hotel")

Once they have selected their persona, have them write about their experience that day, before they knew they would be a part of history that was captured on film, such as getting ready for work or school. Ask the students to speculate how they encountered the photographer, and whether or not they spoke before the shudder clicked. Have the student include what they hope will happen, for themselves, their families, or others if the photograph is seen by others. Remind students to try to write about the concerns of their “subject,” who could be a mother or a scared young adult, as if they were “in their shoes.”

You can share with the students the following videos, which address the central issues addressed in each of the photographs. Allow approximately 5 minutes per video. If students connected with one image, they may choose to view the video that correlates with their image.

Colbert Stays In Character at Congressional Hearing on Farm Jobs
Author Examines Generations-Long Black ‘Defection from the Jim Crow South
Mexico’s Calderon Decries Immigration Status Quo
Video: NATO Afghan Troops Step Up Pressure on Taliban

Extension Activities

A photo essay is when it takes more than one image to tell a story. Often a photojournalist will revisit a site several times to document changes, or use different subjects, including buildings, animals, and bodies of water, to tell a whole story. While one image can become the “icon” for a movement, or even a decade, it is interesting to hear what photographers today think about why they shoot the images they do.

Photographers like Mario Tama of Getty Images use their art to tell the story of places like Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan, but he took on the task of telling the story of New Orleans through images because the city was part of his own connection to the United States. He focuses not only on the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, but on the individuals and families who are coming back to their home-city, and one family who never left.

Tama’s photo essay is focused on traditions, joy, and the resilience of the citizens who live in the Gulf Coast Region. You can view that here . As a class, or for homework (if students have access to the site at home) ask students to listen to the photographer’s story and listen to his voice as he describes the connections of the people of New Orleans to their city, and what concerns he has for New Orleans in the future. Does he choose to be a part of the events he shoots, or is he “a fly on the wall” trying to go unnoticed? What is happening with the proceeds from the sales of the book? Ask students to compare the style of photography Tama uses with the style in the portraits that were discussed in the lesson? How does he use color, lighting, and camera angle to engage the viewer? Think about how advances in photography, such as digital imagery and color, influence the kinds of images we see today. Are they more impactful? Less dramatic?

Ask students to bring in a photograph from their collection, or from research, that might influence someone to donate to a school, or help community (or an individual) in a certain way. The image should have at least one person or an animal in it, and have a sense of time or place that tells more of the story. Have the students be prepared to discuss why they chose their image, and the way in which it might motivate the audience to act, and to write a caption for the photograph that includes a call to action.

Some examples of photographer that telling the story of their own work can be found online at PBS NewsHour Classroom:

The Images of White House Photographer David Hume Kennerly, on Vietnam
The Photographs of Gerald Herbert on the Gulf Coast Oil Spill’s Effect on Wildlife

By Shannon Sullivan, Arlington, Va.

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.

Recent Lesson Plans

<bound method CaptionedImage.default_alt_text of <CaptionedImage: constitution for carousel>>

Lesson plan: Constitution Day and active citizenship

Explore the U.S. Constitution on Constitution Day!

<bound method CaptionedImage.default_alt_text of <CaptionedImage: Debate pic>>

Lesson plan: Hosting a presidential debate

Analyze campaign issues and practice formal debate procedures and elements of logic with this lesson

<bound method CaptionedImage.default_alt_text of <CaptionedImage: The moon rises between the "Tribute in Light" illuminated next to One World Trade Center during 911 anniversary, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey>>

Lesson plan: 9/11 — Ways to reflect on the day’s legacy

Generate and discuss questions about the day of 9/11 and its legacy

<bound method CaptionedImage.default_alt_text of <CaptionedImage: ASM036005_col-683x1024>>

Lesson plan: Teaching 9/11 through comics

Learn how comics can be a unique and powerful way to discuss history

arts-culture
government-civics
Photography
social-studies
lesson-plan
photojournalism
photographers
humanitarian crisis
civics&government

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Images and gestures are still the closest things we have to a universal language.

We think words mean power, and so should you. Through Project Literacy , GOOD and Pearson are building partnerships for a more literate future. Follow the #ProjectLiteracy hashtag and visit good.is or projectliteracy.com to tell us your stories, help us ask the right questions, and take action in your community.

A spread from Point It, photo courtesy of http://www.graf-editions.de/en/pointit

What is a word? It may seem like a simple question with an easy, dictionary definition answer: “an element of speech or writing.” However, some world travelers and communication experts believe words extend beyond the literal and into the realm of pictures. Last year, for the first time, Oxford American Dictionary chose an emoji as the “word” of the year . While the anointed “tears of joy” emoji may not be a “word” in the traditional sense, there’s no doubt as to the universal meaning encapsulated in the little smiley face.

According to German architect Dieter Graf, image based communication works. Graf often used a sketchbook to communicate while vacationing abroad, but his depictions of food left much to be desired. Then, he had an epiphany: What if there was a book filled with pictures of any thing one might want to speak about that could be used by travelers in any country! And so the Point-It guide book was born.

Point-It is a modern communication cult classic; it has sold around 2.2 million copies since its first printing in 1993. Graf took all 1,300 pictures featured in this most recent 19th edition of the book while traveling to 100 countries over the years. The image-based book includes photos of various foods and everyday objects, ranging from snails to air-conditioners.

Graf is not a trained photographer, but he described snapping a picture of a clean toilet “in the wild” with the same excitement one might expect from a professional who spotted a rare bird. “In India, I saw a squat toilet and usually they are very dirty, but this one was clean! So after I used the toilet, I went to the toilet again with my camera and no one knew what I was doing,” Graf said laughing, “nobody makes [sic] photos of toilets!”

Point-It users pull out Graf’s book to bridge language gaps and ask about anything they are unable to describe. Those users vary from everyday travelers to Syrian refugees for whom Graf created a special edition of the book. In the refugee book, Graf included images and German words in order to help them learn to speak and read the local language. In Spain, Graf licensed his book to help disabled patients, whose hands may tremble as they point at the large pictures to communicate with family members and medical providers.

The book doesn’t just help communicate, eventually it turns into a learning tool. Graf recounted that when he was in Indonesia, he loved to eat peanuts in the evening and would point to the picture of the peanuts every night. Eventually, through seeing the image and repeating the word, he was able to learn how to say peanuts in Indonesian.

However, not all things can be communicated by pointing at pictures: Graf has left space in the book for native speakers to write down the foreign words for things that cannot easily be pictured such as “sour,” “hot,” or “cold.”

Graf decides what words and images to include in Point-It, and in a strange way, he has become master of an international visual lexicon as a result. He didn’t intend to create an art book, but he said Point-It is often sold in museums, which are prime sites for visual language exploration. Museums often showcase pictographic languages such as hieroglyphics or exhibits exploring cave paintings, humanity’s initial inscriptions.

While hieroglyphics themselves may be ancient, image-based communication is far from extinct. Internet denizens love to express emotions through GIFs and the popularity of photo and video-based apps, such as Instagram and Snap Chat, reflect our love for visual communication. Images capture attention and may be increasingly valuable as we scroll through endless blocks of text.

Literacy expert Beth Olshansky values images immensely. She has always been a visual communicator and said she experienced “the tyranny of the written word” as a child, as reading and writing ability are often the measure of childhood intelligence. Matters were only made worse when she had to use a typewriter, requiring her to have a clear vision of what she might like to say from start to end. She couldn’t cut and paste and move text around the way writers can in computer programs today. Olshansky said the cut and paste process was revolutionary for her, and she likened it to the collage process she now uses to help students understand and create stories. “You create all these things when you cut out shapes, you can move them anyway you want, until you decide where you want to glue them down which is similar to creating a word document---you have the freedom to manipulate.”

Olshansky believes some people are innately more visual and she uses image-based cues to help them unlock the world of literature. She said image-based teaching can be particularly helpful for English language learners, special education students, and boys , who are often behind their female classmates when it comes to reading and writing.

She created a program called Picturing Writing , in which participants create stories in pictures before writing. She said the program is successful and has even helped unlock long-forgotten words in the native languages of the Yupik and Inuit tribes. Tribal teachers in a training “who might have been 60 years old-- found themselves remembering words they hadn’t heard since they were children through creating images,” Olshansky said. “This happened twice. In both cases, the process was used as an archeological dig to unearth lost language. In the case of the Inuit, they took the process to their elders to access lost language before their elders died off.”

It is interesting to think that forgotten words may lie dormant in some deep part of the human memory, that language lives inside of us, perhaps only to be unlocked or rediscovered through images. Margret McKeown studies vocabulary acquisition at the University of Pittsburgh and said reading is a fairly recent development , while verbal language is a more natural form of human communication.

“We don’t naturally read, our brains are wired for language and communication,” she said, “there are some cultures that don’t even have a written form. Reading is really a cultural practice whereas language is really a much more innate ability for humans.” According to McKeown, language tied to images may be easier to access. “The more things you have connected to that word, the quicker you can get to that word’s meaning,” she said.

This is why Marianne Savastano, a speech pathologist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, uses every approach possible to help her stroke patients recover lost language. “For example if you want to tell someone to sit in a chair, you might want to say it, then you would point to the chair and maybe make a walking gesture with your fingers, and you also could write it down,” she said, “At its most basic form, language is a bunch of symbols, whether it’s pointing at a Coke can or reading a word or hearing it.”

Savastano said that as part of the recovery process, speech pathologists make individualized books, similar to Point-It, in order to help patients recover from language and memory loss caused by the stroke. The books contain pictures of friends, family members, and favorite items, along with written names so that patients can begin remaking connections. She said the individualized nature of the books allows patients to connect personally and emotionally, which helps stimulate recovery.

Plus, even though patients have suffered strokes, Savastano said they are still aware of who they are. “You are never wanting to take a man who has a law degree and show him a children’s book because he will know it is a children’s book. Those are very childish looking items and some adults wouldn’t respond to them and they might be offensive,” she said.

Savastano ran a summer boot camp for stroke survivors, where she focused on teaching patients who had trouble reading and writing to use their phones to communicate. She would encourage them to snap photos and use emojis to give their family updates on their daily activities.

“There is one guy who does his family’s shopping,” she said, talking about a stroke survivor who lost the ability to speak. She explained that the man takes pictures of what he needs "and shows someone at the store a picture of the thing he wants. That’s how he uses technology to help himself get by.”

Savastano explained that this man is able to communicate so well without words that at times, he transcends spoken language. For example, “if I was in Japan I could easily understand him,” she said.

In an alternate cultural reality, the least verbal among us may be the most adept communicators. Images and gestures are still the closest thing we have to a universal language and visual representations have become “texts” in their own right. This couldn’t be clearer to Graf, who has quit architecture entirely and is now supported primarily by proceeds from Point-It.

As the success of his book proves, sometimes, a picture is worth 1,000 words.

Eminem's heartfelt letter to Tupac's mom after the rapper's passing is a must-read on love and gratitude

Researchers tested a bottle of Fiji Water against a glass of tap water and here's what they found

Body language expert shares 3 unmistakable signs of someone being attracted to you on a date

World's shortest IQ test reveals how intelligent you are in just 3 questions

Woman messaged all 6 of her siblings asking for $100, the responses left her teary-eyed

COMMENTS

'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words': Definition, Meaning, Examples
There are other ways to express the fact that a picture explains something better than words. Here are some of them: A picture paints a thousand words. Every picture tells a story. It's better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. Seeing once is better than hearing twice. Show, don't tell.
Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?
Words: 706 Pages: 2. A picture can be worth a thousand words or even more but, as I will argue, that depends on who looks at it, why they look at it, and in what circumstances. In other words, a picture's meaning is relative to the viewer, and changes as the viewer changes. Once upon a time pictures had a significance greater than themselves ...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
The origin of the proverbial saying " a picture is worth a thousand words " comes from a reinterpretation of previous expressions in the early 1800s. The Works of Mr. James Thomson, published in 1802 has the earliest rendition of the phrase as the following. " One timely deed is worth ten thousand words ".
A picture is worth a thousand words
A picture is worth a thousand words. 1913 newspaper advertisement. Meaning. Seeing something is better for learning than having it described. Original form. "A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed." Coined by. Henrik Ibsen. " A picture is worth a thousand words " is an adage in multiple languages meaning that ...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Meaning of "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words". The proverbial sentence "A picture is worth a thousand words" is one of the famous and common proverbs. It means an artwork or an image can convey meanings more effectively than descriptions. This phrase is usually used in newspaper advertisements. It shows that graphic illustrations are ...
A picture is worth a thousand words
This article has 471 words and two pictures - take your pick. This phrase emerged in the USA in the early part of the 20th century. Its introduction is widely attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who published a piece commending the effectiveness of graphics in advertising with the title "One look is worth a thousand words", in Printer's Ink, December 1921.
A picture is worth a thousand words
The proverb a picture is worth a thousand words is probably not as old as you think. A proverb is a short, common saying or phrase. It particularly gives advice or shares a universal truth. We will examine the definition of the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words, where the expression came from as well as some examples of its use in sentences. ...
What Does a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Mean?
A picture is worth a thousand words. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The idiomatic and proverbial expression a picture is worth a thousand words is used to convey that a picture, or image, or graphic illustration may better convey or describe something than many written or spoken words—that it may be easier, and much faster, to just ...
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Literary analysis for the phrase 'A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words', with meaning, origin, and examples in literature and sentences.
Expansion of an Idea
The proverb "a picture is worth a thousand words" is a well-known saying that suggests that a single image can convey more information or meaning than a lengthy description or explanation. This proverb highlights the power of visual communication and the impact that an image can have on a viewer. The expansion of this proverb could be that ...
What Does "a Picture Is worth a Thousand Words" Mean?
Views: 16,596. The phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" is used to talk about metaphorical ideas of value; generally, it means that more information can be conveyed with a picture or image than with a whole lot of text. This phrase can be used in many similar ways to talk about relative value, but for many, it is most commonly used ...
"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" Meaning with Helpful Examples
A picture is worth a thousand words is a phrase which talks about how a visual image can mean a lot more than words. When trying to explain a profound meaning behind a situation, person or item, you can spend hours trying to describe it with words and yet a simple picture of the thing can explain it much more quickly and efficiently.
"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words"
Photo ID: 16-G-87-1-N5526. Original Caption 1: "Ten million men could live on the food Americans waste. Every man, woman, and child is wasting 100 pounds of edible food every year. We must stop this waste! On the farms - we must help harvest; fight blight, rot, disease; kill rodents and food-eating pests.
Unlocking the Power of Visualization: 'A Picture is Worth a Thousand
The origin of the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words" is often attributed to Frederick R. Barnard, who used it in the advertising trade journal "Printers' Ink" in 1921 to promote the effectiveness of graphics in advertising. However, the phrase was labeled as a Chinese proverb to give it more credibility.
"A Picture Paints a Thousand Words"
The term "a picture paints a thousand words" means a visual presentation is far more descriptive than words. The origin of "a picture paints a thousand words" is usually attributed to the newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane (1864-1936), who, in a 1911 newspaper article, advocated the use of images with the advice "Use a picture. It's worth a ...
Definition of A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
The meaning of A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS is —used to say that it is often easier to show something in a picture than to describe it with words. ... — Mark Landler, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 And if a picture is worth a thousand words, ...
a picture is worth a thousand words
a picture is worth a thousand words. P. a picture is worth a thousand words also, a picture paints a thousand words. Meaning | Synonyms. a picture conveys information more effectively than words; a picture can tell a story just as well as many words; using graphics can convey ideas more effectively than a large number of words
A picture is worth a thousand words
Overview. While the expression "A picture is worth 1,000 words" is meant to convey that an image means more than "talk," images can also compel us to volunteer, donate money, vote a ...
Analysis Of The Poem ' A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
There is more meaning behind every object and the importance it holds is what focuses to make it more understandable for a reader. Symbols help signify what the author is attempting to communicate to the audience. The term 'a picture is worth a thousand words ' is an ideal phrase that can best describe a symbol.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. Images and gestures are still the closest things we have to a universal language. We think words mean power, and so should you. Through Project Literacy, GOOD ...
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Essay
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. Photography is the ability to freeze time without disturbing life. What is meant by that phrase is that when a photo is taken, that precise moment is forever captured to be revisited at the viewer's leisure. When a photographer takes an image it is very different than when a friend tells you, " Lets take ...
Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words? An Empirical Study of Image
A (Meta) Picture is Worth a Thousand "Likes:" An Analysis of Engagemen... Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar Hue, brightness, saturation, and caption description: which attributes...

'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words': Definition, Meaning, Examples

What Does 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words' Mean?

Where Does 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words' Come From?

An Advertising Tool

A Chinese Proverb

Earlier Variants

Examples in Sentences

Other Ways to Say 'A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words'

Concluding Thoughts

Learn More:

Add new comment Cancel reply

Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Meaning, Origin and Usage

Example Usage

Phrases Similar to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Phrases Opposite to A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

What is the Correct Saying?

Ways People May Say It Incorrectly

Acceptable Ways to Phrase It

Related posts:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Examples in Sentences

A picture is worth a thousand words

What's the origin of the phrase 'A picture is worth a thousand words'?

Related phrases and meanings

A picture is worth a thousand words

What Does a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words Mean?

Your writing, at its best

The History of the Expression

What Are Idioms and Proverbs?

Maggie Cramer

Recent Posts

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Expansion of an Idea – “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” for Students / Teachers / Parents

English Courses

Justin Morgan

Our Promise to you

What Does "a Picture Is worth a Thousand Words" Mean?

Editors' Picks

Related Articles

“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” Meaning with Helpful Examples

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

“A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words” Examples

Other Ways to Say This Phrase

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words | Picture

“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

Share this:

Unlocking the Power of Visualization: ‘A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words’

Episode Audio

Meanings of “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

Collocations with “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words”

Get Vocabulary Voyages E-Book for Free!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

English Plus

Word Power | The Serene Symphony of Tranquility

Word Power | The Elegant Tapestry of Eloquence

Word Power | The Sparkling Charm of Effervescence

Recent Posts

The Impact of War on Literature and Storytelling: How Conflict Shapes Our Narratives

Thailand’s Lantern Festival Yi Peng: A Glowing Celebration of Hope and Renewal

Freedom: What Does It Mean to Be Truly Free?

What Does a Day in the Life of a Diplomat Look Like? Exploring the World of Diplomacy

What Would Society Look Like If We Didn’t Have to Work? Imagining a World Beyond Labor

Entrepreneurship and Innovation | Listening Comprehension

Pin It on Pinterest

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words (Origin)

Previous and Next Sayings

You might also like...

teachers' zone

Definition of a picture is worth a thousand words

Dictionary Entries Near a picture is worth a thousand words

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Popular in Grammar & Usage

a picture is worth a thousand words

Meaning | Synonyms

Example Sentences

Similar Idioms

A picture is worth a thousand words