Picture vs. Poster — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
A picture is a general term for an image or photograph, while a poster is a large printed notice, often for advertising or decoration.
Difference Between Picture and Poster
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A picture refers broadly to any visual representation, such as a painting, drawing, photograph, or print, used for a variety of purposes like capturing memories, artistic expression, or communication. A poster, however, is a specific kind of picture, usually large in format and designed to be displayed publicly for advertising, education, or decoration.
Pictures are commonly personal or artistic and vary greatly in size and medium. They include family photos, fine art, or images in books and can be held in hand or hung on a wall. Posters are typically mass-produced and designed to convey a clear message or promote an event, product, or service, focusing on eye-catching design and succinct text.
While a picture can be a one-of-a-kind artwork or a snapshot meant for a photo album, a poster is more likely to be found in public spaces, pinned up on bulletin boards, or plastered across city walls. Both pictures and posters can be digital or physical, but posters are usually printed on larger, more durable materials.
The intention behind a picture can be to preserve a moment, tell a story, or evoke emotion. For posters, the intention is often to inform, advertise, or call to action. A picture may be cherished in a private collection, while a poster is designed to stand out and reach a broad audience.
In terms of display, pictures, whether in frames or albums, are typically part of interior décor or personal archives. Posters, on the other hand, are meant to stand alone and attract attention from afar, often using bold graphics and large text to make a statement.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An image or visual representation.
A large printed notice for public display.
Purpose
Artistic, keepsake, or documentation.
Advertising, informative, or promotional.
Size
Variable, can be small or large.
Typically large for visibility.
Production
Can be one-of-a-kind or mass-produced.
Usually mass-produced.
Display
Private or public, often framed.
Public, often unframed and tacked or glued on surfaces.
Compare with Definitions
Picture
A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
Poster
A poster is a temporary promotion of an idea, product, or event put up in a public space for mass consumption. Typically, posters include both textual and graphic elements, although a poster may be either wholly graphical or wholly text.
Picture
An image or likeness of something.
The book included pictures of various birds.
Poster
A large, usually printed placard, bill, or announcement, often illustrated, that is posted to advertise or publicize something.
Picture
A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen
The picture reflected in the lake.
Focused the picture on the movie screen.
Poster
An artistic work, often a reproduction of an original painting or photograph, printed on a large sheet of paper.
Picture
A vivid or realistic verbal description
A Shakespearean picture of guilt.
Poster
One that posts bills or notices.
Picture
A vivid mental image.
Poster
One that travels in speed or with haste.
Picture
A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another
She's the picture of her mother.
Poster
A picture of a celebrity, an event etc., intended to be attached to a wall.
He has posters of his favorite band, sports teams and holiday resorts up.
Picture
A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood
Your face was the very picture of horror.
Poster
An advertisement to be posted on a pole, wall etc. to advertise something.
I saw a poster for the film on the side of a bus.
Picture
The chief circumstances of an event or time; the situation
How does the new boyfriend figure in the picture?.
Poster
(internet) One who posts a message.
Some posters left the online message board after the squabble.
Picture
A movie.
Poster
A shot that hits a goalpost, scoring one point.
Picture
A tableau vivant.
Poster
A shot that hits a goalpost instead of passing into the goal.
We got three posters in the third and lost.
Picture
To make a visible representation of
In this photo, the mayor is pictured with several aides.
Poster
(basketball) A dunk over a defending player.
Picture
To form a mental image of; visualize
I pictured my grandfather as a young man coming to America.
Poster
(dated) A posthorse.
Picture
To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of
Pictured their heroism in glowing language.
Poster
(archaic) A swift traveller; a courier.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
Poster
(transitive) To decorate with posters.
To poster the walls of a bedroom
Picture
An image; a representation as in the imagination.
Poster
A large bill or placard intended to be posted in public places.
Picture
A painting.
There was a picture hanging above the fireplace.
Poster
One who posts bills; a billposter.
Picture
A photograph.
I took a picture of the church.
Poster
One who posts, or travels expeditiously; a courier.
Picture
A motion picture.
Casablanca is my all-time favorite picture.
Poster
A post horse.
Picture
Cinema as a form of entertainment.
Let's go to the pictures.
Poster
A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement;
A poster advertised the coming attractions
Picture
A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
She's the very picture of health.
Poster
Someone who pastes up bills or placards on walls or billboards
Picture
An attractive sight.
The garden is a real picture at this time of year.
Poster
A horse kept at an inn or post house for use by mail carriers or for rent to travelers
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Picture
A figure; a model.
Picture
Situation.
The employment picture for the older middle class is not so good.
You can't just look at the election, you've got to look at the big picture.
Picture
(MLE) A sample of an illegal drug.
If you want me to buy your weed I’ll need a picture.
Picture
(programming) A format string in the COBOL programming language.
Picture
(transitive) To represent in or with a picture.
Picture
(transitive) To imagine or envision.
Picture
(transitive) To depict or describe vividly.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or sculpture.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
Picture
An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
Picture
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.
I have not seen him so pictured.
Picture
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Picture
Graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface;
A small painting by Picasso
He bought the painting as an investment
His pictures hang in the Louvre
Picture
A clear and telling mental image;
He described his mental picture of his assailant
He had no clear picture of himself or his world
The events left a permanent impression in his mind
Picture
A situation treated as an observable object;
The political picture is favorable
The religious scene in England has changed in the last century
Picture
Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text;
The dictionary had many pictures
Picture
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Picture
The visible part of a television transmission;
They could still receive the sound but the picture was gone
Picture
A graphic or vivid verbal description;
Too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
The author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
The pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
Picture
A typical example of some state or quality;
The very picture of a modern general
She was the picture of despair
Picture
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Picture
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
Picture
A visual representation captured by a camera.
She took a picture of the sunset with her phone.
Picture
A painting, drawing, or illustration.
The picture on the wall was painted by her grandmother.
Picture
A mental image or concept.
He had a clear picture of what he wanted his garden to look like.
Picture
A movie or film.
They went to see the latest picture at the cinema.
Common Curiosities
What is a poster?
A poster is a large printed notice designed for public display, often for advertising or promotion.
Do pictures have to be physical prints?
No, pictures can also be digital images displayed on screens.
Can a poster be considered a picture?
Yes, a poster is a specific type of picture with a particular purpose.
What sizes do posters usually come in?
Posters typically range from medium to large sizes for visibility, such as 24"x36".
How are posters typically put up?
Posters are usually tacked, pinned, glued, or mounted on flat surfaces.
Are all posters made of paper?
Most are, but they can also be printed on vinyl, fabric, or other materials.
How do people typically display pictures?
Pictures are often framed and hung on walls or placed in albums.
What is a picture?
A picture is any visual representation, such as a photo, drawing, or painting.
Are posters only used for advertising?
No, posters can also be informational, educational, or simply decorative.
Do pictures require text?
No, pictures do not necessarily require text; they often stand alone based on their visual content.
Why are posters an effective form of communication?
Their large size, bold graphics, and concise messages grab attention and convey information quickly.
Can a picture serve the same purpose as a poster?
While a picture can be used for decoration or advertising, it doesn't typically have the same large-format and eye-catching design as a poster intended for public display.
Is a digital display considered a poster or picture?
Digital displays can show both pictures and digital versions of posters.
Can posters be considered art?
Yes, many posters, especially vintage ones or those with artistic designs, are considered collectible art.
Are there differences in legal use for pictures and posters?
Yes, copyright laws may apply differently, especially if a poster is used for commercial purposes versus a private picture.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
