telegenic

[tel-i-jen-ik]

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adjective

having physical qualities or characteristics that televise well; videogenic.

Origin of telegenic

First recorded in 1935–40; tele(vision) + -genic

Related formstel·e·gen·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for telegenic

broadcast, television, program, TV, canned, prerecorded

Examples from the Web for telegenic

Contemporary Examples of telegenic

He was also a charismatic, telegenic speaker with a face improved by plastic surgery several years earlier.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise
Jason Berry
January 3, 2015
Let me be clear, as the president would say: Obama is telegenic and charming.
From POTUS to SCOTUS: Obama’s Big Move?
Keli Goff
November 17, 2014
The telegenic former state attorney general and federal judge is Hispanic and hugely popular in Nevada.
The Secret GOP Swing State Election Romp
John Avlon
October 28, 2014
This was the young, telegenic, and popular Robby Gallaty of Brainerd Baptist (mega-)Church in Tennessee.
The Hateful Pastor All Too Happy to Be Left Behind When It Comes to Gays
Jay Michaelson
September 6, 2014
He has long been hailed as a conservative rising star and as a polished and telegenic African American Republican.
Senate Could Get Third African American Next Year
Ben Jacobs
January 28, 2014

Historical Examples of telegenic

They grow up accepting the politics of telegenic competition, a poor substitute for competence and commitment.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
Telegenic or not, a president or a TV star has little, if any, impact on our fulfillment in the interconnected world of our time.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for telegenic

telegenic

adjective

having or showing a pleasant television image

Derived Formstelegenically, adverb

Word Origin for telegenic

C20: from tele (vision) + (photo) genic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for telegenic

adj.

1939, from television + ending from photogenic.

Judith Barrett, pretty and blonde actress, is the first Telegenic Girl to go on record. In other words, she is the perfect type of beauty for television. ... She is slated for the first television motion picture. [Baltimore "Sun," Oct. 16, 1939]