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
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.
The challenge of sighting puffins adds to their allure: Like Maine’s other photogenic wildlife icon, the moose, puffins are genetically wired to stay elusive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
“Friend, I know we are beautiful, photogenic city icons,” the capybara says.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
Just a two-hour drive south of Sydney, Gerringong is much like many other photogenic hamlets along Australia's east coast, with multi-million-dollar properties set against stunning views of the azure blue sea.
From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026
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
At the time, however, it seemed to me that in the Chief all the most photogenic features of Buck Jones, Ken Maynard, and Tom Mix had been smoothly amalgamated.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
