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Synonyms

telegenic

American  
[tel-i-jen-ik] / ˌtɛl ɪˈdʒɛn ɪk /

adjective

  1. having physical qualities or characteristics that televise well; videogenic.

telegenic British  
/ ˌtɛlɪˈdʒɛnɪk /

adjective

  1. having or showing a pleasant television image

"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

Other Word Forms

  • telegenically adverb

Etymology

Origin of telegenic

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

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 telegenic governor has already begun projecting an air of confident authority, with his campaign largely winding up a week before the ballot.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

Newsom rose to the occasion, using his greatest asset: invaluable communication skills coupled with telegenic looks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2025

At only 52 he is comparatively young and telegenic, and he could help Mr Trump gain a larger share of the Latino vote.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2024

And they're not the telegenic influencers making us laugh off proposals and positions that should terrify us.

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2024

They grow up accepting the politics of telegenic competition, a poor substitute for competence and commitment.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

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.