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Synonyms

telephoto

1 American  
[tel-uh-foh-toh] / ˈtɛl əˌfoʊ toʊ /

adjective

  1. noting or pertaining to telephotography.


Telephoto 2 American  
[tel-uh-foh-toh] / ˈtɛl əˌfoʊ toʊ /
Trademark.
  1. a brand of apparatus for electrical transmission of photographs.

  2. a photograph transmitted by this apparatus.


Etymology

Origin of telephoto

1890–95; short for telephotographic; telephotograph, -ic

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.

It’s hard to imagine a riskier trek, but he managed to pull it off, traveling through cities and towns with a telephoto lens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

Armed with binoculars and a telephoto camera, they watch the cobalt waters for one of its great treasures - pygmy blue whales.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2024

Sometimes she was using a short lens when she should have been using a telephoto lens and vice versa.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024

The biggest camera upgrade will come exclusively to the iPhone 15 Pro Max: an updated telephoto system with enhanced hardware zoom capabilities.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 9, 2023

While Mr. Das adjusted his telephoto lens, Mrs. Das reached into her straw bag and pulled out a bottle of colorless nail polish, which she proceeded to stroke on the tip of her index finger.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri