photogenic

adjective

pho·​to·​ge·​nic ˌfō-tə-ˈje-nik  -ˈjē- 

1

: produced or precipitated by light

photogenic dermatitis

2

: producing or generating light : phosphorescent

photogenic bacteria

3

: suitable for being photographed especially because of visual appeal

a photogenic smile

photogenically

ˌfō-tə-ˈje-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈjē-

adverb

Examples of photogenic in a Sentence

She's a very photogenic child.

This is the city's most photogenic park.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are various scenic beaches offering clear teal-toned waters—the Baia delle Sirene is one of the most photogenic spots on the Riviera. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

World-renowned for her artistry and effortlessly photogenic gymnastics, Hurd ironically prefers photographing athletes over being photographed. —Caroline Price, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

But having a cold beer on a hot day while looking over the scenery in one of the world’s most photogenic cities? —Lilit Marcus, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025

Gibson was young, white, and pretty, with a dainty nose ring, a photogenic child, and an incredible story. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for photogenic

• allergenic
• androgenic
• antigenic
• authigenic
• autogenic
• biogenic
• bronchogenic
• chromogenic
• cryogenic
• echogenic
• estrogenic
• isogenic

Kids Definition

photogenic

adjective

pho·​to·​ge·​nic ˌfōt-ə-ˈjen-ik  -ˈjēn- 

: suitable for being photographed : likely to photograph well

a photogenic child

photogenically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

photogenic

adjective

pho·​to·​gen·​ic ˌfōt-ə-ˈjen-ik 

1

: produced or precipitated by light

photogenic epilepsy

photogenic dermatitis

2

: producing or generating light : phosphorescent

photogenic bacteria