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

Natural beauty is the allure here, and even the most photogenic beach on the island, Plage Notre Dame, requires a combination of cycling and hiking to reach. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026

Now, 30% of Maran’s current sales are refills, most of which are contained in photogenic, sensorially satisfying pouches. —Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026

Not only is this cobbler a delicious experience, but the rich tones of the berries make this cobbler especially photogenic. —Patricia S York, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026

Birch has now taken matters into his own hands and will breed his Highland cows with cattle from another breed in an attempt to make the animals less photogenic. —Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 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