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

With Venus blazing in the twilight and a thin crescent moon beside it, Monday evening offers one of the easiest and most photogenic astronomy sights of spring that anyone can enjoy. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

On multiple fronts, Sánchez, a photogenic Socialist who has been in power since 2018, cuts a stark political contrast. —Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 13 May 2026

Perhaps the most iconic colorful landmark in town is the sunshine-yellow Clock Tower at the main entrance to the Old Town neighborhood, where many of the photogenic structures date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026

Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see Mabry Mill, one of the most photogenic spots in the mountains. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 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