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

The Valpo Chamber design features some abstract designs along with icons evocative of Valparaiso, including Orville Redenbacher, the photogenic pedestrian bridge at Rogers Lakewood Park, ice cream and more. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Even as long ago as the 1950s, people were saying that UFOs for some reason are not photogenic. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Flaco’s escape may have seemed like just another heartwarming animal story about a photogenic bird. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026

Come late September, the surrounding groves of aspens erupt in brilliant shades of gold, creating a photogenic autumn scene. — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

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