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

The Apostle Islands are unbelievably photogenic, the geologic equivalent of Halle Berry in soft light. —Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 14 June 2026

Food and drink No visit to Scotland would be complete without a Scotch whisky tasting, and the Clydeside Distillery in the heart of Glasgow is a convenient and photogenic place to partake. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 14 June 2026

The smaller, community-level releases happening across the city are free and accessible, but the headline events with the photogenic dense lantern displays are a different category of booking. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026

The photogenic quartet, all accomplished businesswomen, were in town over the weekend pulling double duty. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 June 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