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

From Fayetteville, make the winding drive north toward the LGBTQ haven Eureka Springs, a quirky, photogenic Victorian town built into the hills. —AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025

Her acting seems to meld the persona and the personal—a photogenic clarity and stillness that draws on a deep well of human emotion. —Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025

Top 5 Can’t Miss Channel your inner flâneur (aka the French word for a leisurely stroller) through the village’s photogenic streets, which are painted in a palette of pastels. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025

Take a break from the screens and discover a family game that celebrates photogenic animals caught on camera. —Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 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