What does "picnic" mean?
An informal social gathering, usually in a natural outdoor setting, to which the participants bring their own food and drink.
Picnic
/ˈpɪknɪk/ noun, phrase, verb
noun, phrase, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An informal social gathering, usually in a natural outdoor setting, to which the participants bring their own food and drink.
- Grammar: picnic is listed as noun, phrase, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: breeze, cinch, action, agonizing.
- Useful contrasts: arduous, arduous task, difficult.
- Usage evidence: I think it's wonderful that you're going on a picnic.
How to use "picnic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "picnic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "picnic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "picnic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "picnic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "picnic" is acting as noun, phrase, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "breeze" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "picnic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An informal social gathering, usually in a natural outdoor setting, to which the participants bring their own food and drink.
"We went out for a picnic in the forest."
- 2 any undertaking that is easy to do wordnet
- 3 The meal eaten at such a gathering.
- 4 any informal meal eaten outside or on an excursion wordnet
- 5 An easy or pleasant task. figuratively
"We remind the guests that dealing with this problem is no picnic, and to be patient."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering wordnet
- 7 An entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to a common table. obsolete
- 8 A cut of pork from the shoulder area (above the front leg) of a pig.
"Smoked picnics of medium weights - from 6 to 8 pounds - are selling at wholesale at present for about half the price of fancy hams. Standard bacon of medium weights is another smoked product that is selling […]"
Verb
- 1 To take part in a picnic.
"And I'll never forget the chillingly instinctive racism. "Sure is pretty countryside. Pity it's spoiled by the niggers picknickin.""
- 2 eat alfresco, in the open air wordnet
Phrase
- 1 Acronym of problem in chair, not in computer: states that the problem was not in the computer but was instead caused by the user operating it. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, humorous
"Inspiration also comes from the workers who take care of the workers. Ever reported a picnic error to the IT helpdesk? No? Well they're logging them. It stands for a problem in chair, not in computer error among hapless colleagues."
Example
"I think it's wonderful that you're going on a picnic."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "picnic"?
Common synonyms include: breeze, cinch, action, agonizing, agony, al fresco meal.
How do you use "picnic" in a sentence?
I think it's wonderful that you're going on a picnic.
How do you pronounce "picnic"?
Pronounced /ˈpɪknɪk/.
Etymology
Borrowed from French pique-nique.