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

Heineken, Amex, and Neutrogena have taken over the landscape, turning Coachella into an interactive billboard with photogenic pop-ups and limited-edition releases. —Tiana Denicola, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025

Flower School Bouquet-making parties are fun, photogenic and easy to DIY. —Maggie Griswold, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 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

Hikers can follow coastal routes that will lead them to such photogenic spots as Lastres, Tazones and Torazu. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 10 Mar. 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