photogenic
Americanadjective
-
forming an attractive subject for photography or having features that look well in a photograph.
a photogenic face.
-
Biology. producing or emitting light, as certain bacteria; luminiferous; phosphorescent.
-
Medicine/Medical. produced or caused by light, as a skin condition.
adjective
-
(esp of a person) having features, colouring, and a general facial appearance that look attractive in photographs
-
biology producing or emitting light
photogenic bacteria
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of photogenic
Explanation
The word photogenic describes looking attractive in photographs. If you are photogenic there are few, if any, terrible pictures of you out there. The word photogenic originally meant "produced or caused by light," and was first used to mean "photographing well" in 1928. Today, it also describes looking good on video or film. Most Hollywood stars are photogenic, but then, they have armies of wardrobe, hair, and makeup pros, not to mention digital "correction" artists who erase every shadow and blemish.
Vocabulary lists containing photogenic
"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?" Vocabulary from the short story
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The End and the Beginning," Vocabulary from the poem
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: photo
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Photogenic, he emotes for the screen, every bow stroke getting its own emotive facial expression.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2021
According to reports, Shatner and Martin split up their four horses, with the actor scoring Renaissance Man's Medici and Powder River Shirley, while Martin got to keep Belle Reve's So Photogenic and Pebbles.
From Fox News • Jun. 10, 2020
Photogenic, friendly and articulate, he is a sponsors' dream.
From BBC • May 12, 2015
Photogenic graffiti covers the side streets in Getsemani.
From Forbes • Jun. 28, 2014
All the English works on the subject--particularly on the practical application, of Photogenic drawing--are deficient in many minute details, which are essential to a complete understanding of the art.
From History and Practice of the Art of Photography by Snelling, Henry Hunt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
