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

Nancy Giles explores how Douglass used the early photographic medium to promote the cause of abolition. — David Morgan, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Swift did indeed attend the wedding, but no photographic evidence of petal flinging has been shared–yet. — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026

The central installation, From the Depths of the Sea (2026), features a large photographic image of the ocean suspended on fishing lines, creating a surface that appears to ripple and shift with the viewer’s movement. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

The wranglers hurriedly unpacked him, and Paul, greatly agitated, dived into the duffel bags after his photographic gear. — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026

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