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Region: US | Usage example: Show the user interface mockup; a picture is worth a thousand words.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Meaning

Visuals can convey complex ideas faster than text alone.

Usage

Used when emphasizing the power of imagery.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Attributed to early journalism and advertising slogans in the 1920s.

Popularized in American media to justify illustration-heavy layouts.