photogenic
Americanadjective
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forming an attractive subject for photography or having features that look well in a photograph.
a photogenic face.
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Biology. producing or emitting light, as certain bacteria; luminiferous; phosphorescent.
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Medicine/Medical. produced or caused by light, as a skin condition.
adjective
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(esp of a person) having features, colouring, and a general facial appearance that look attractive in photographs
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biology producing or emitting light
photogenic bacteria
Other Word Forms
- photogenically adverb
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
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"The End and the Beginning," Vocabulary from the poem
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: photo
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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.
For drinks writer Dave Infante, the return of sweet, photogenic drinks fits into a much older story about American drinking habits: we like sweet stuff.
From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025
For as long as I can remember, people have commented on how photogenic I am—sometimes with an emphasis that makes you wonder what they really mean.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025
For while other actors were as photogenic on screen as Dean, including “Giant” costar Elizabeth Taylor, it’s difficult to think of another star who made such an impact with his still images.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025
Travelers wanting to make quick stops in photogenic destinations is also a tale as old as time.
From Slate • Jul. 20, 2025
He was a huge, photogenic young man of twenty-four.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
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.
