photographic

adjective

pho·​to·​graph·​ic ˌfō-tə-ˈgra-fik 

1

: relating to, obtained by, or used in photography

2

: representing nature and human beings with the exactness of a photograph

3

: capable of retaining vivid impressions

a photographic memory

photographically

ˌfō-tə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of photographic in a Sentence

photographic images of the galaxy

Recent Examples on the Web

Tim Curry's marvelous Frank was a monster of self-regard, and Tim knew exactly how to give this evil genius his head and Mick served it up on a photographic plate. —Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

In contrast, Lippmann’s painstaking technique was already being overtaken by faster photographic processes. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025

In Morris Lum’s photographic archive of Chinatowns, change is the only constant. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025

Outside, artist Andy Nguyen introduced cyanotype artwork, a photographic process that creates a blue and white image from a mix of sun exposure and chemicals. —Lauren Uppal, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing photographic

• photographic memory

Rhymes for photographic

• autographic
• biographic
• calligraphic
• cartographic
• cryptographic
• demographic
• epigraphic
• ethnographic
• geographic
• holographic
• hydrographic
• lithographic

Kids Definition

photographic

adjective

pho·​to·​graph·​ic ˌfōt-ə-ˈgraf-ik 

1

: relating to, obtained by, or used in photography

photographic supplies

2

: capable of remembering details exactly

a photographic memory

photographically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb