pic
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪk/
US
- /ˈpɪk/
Description
- photo
- snapshot
- image
A "pic" is a casual, shortened way to say "picture," and it usually means a photo. People use it when talking about an image taken with a camera or shared online. It is the kind of word you hear in lines like "Check out this pic!"
It is very common in text messages and on social media. You might ask a friend, "Got any pics from the concert?" or share a funny pic you found online. It can mean almost any kind of image, but most often it refers to photos of people, places, or things.
The word "pic" is a shortened, informal version of "picture" and usually refers to a photograph or digital image. It shows how everyday English becomes shorter and more relaxed, especially in texting, social media, and online chat. A more formal word might be "photograph" or "image," but "pic" is common in casual conversation.
Originally, "picture" could mean many kinds of visual representation, such as a painting, drawing, or even a mental image. Today, when someone says "pic," you can usually assume they mean a photo taken with a camera or an image shared digitally. You will often see it in common phrases like "profile pic." In the film industry, "pic" can also be shorthand for a motion picture, meaning a movie.
You will see it used everywhere online: "Send me a pic of your new puppy!", "Check out this pic I took on vacation," or simply "posting a pic" to Instagram. It is not the best choice for formal writing, but it is a natural and widely understood word in everyday English, especially with friends and family. So when someone asks for a "pic," they usually want a photo or image that can be quickly shared.
Examples
- 1
Digital request
Can you send me a pic of the menu?
Usage
pic is informal; in more formal writing, use photo or picture
- 2
Travel photos
I posted a few pics from the trip.
- 3
Group photo
Let's take a quick pic before we leave.
- 4
Profile image
She changed her profile pic after graduation.
- 5
Group chat
The group chat was full of blurry pics from last night.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- picnoun