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

Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see Mabry Mill, one of the most photogenic spots in the mountains. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026

Farther up the shore are photogenic lighthouses, wild beaches and artsy communities like Mendocino and Fort Bragg that blend galleries, gourmet dining, and lodging in seafront inns and Victorian mansions. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

The photogenic duo appear in a sweet Instagram video asking the community to donate essentials that Lotus House residents put on their Amazon Wish Lists and provided the links. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026

Cap it off at Wynwood Walls, the outdoor street art museum that doubles as Miami’s most photogenic block. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 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