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

What started as a kitschy vessel for zhuzhing up morning matchas and sleepytime mocktails has expanded into the (albeit photogenic) demon of drinkware. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Accessibility While its hilly, cobblestoned streets may be extremely photogenic, Lisbon can be a challenging city to navigate for anyone with accessibility concerns. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The set gave you so many great opportunities, and everyone was so photogenic. — Daisy Leepson, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

The region’s most photogenic drives, like the Beartooth Scenic Highway, provide a bird’s-eye view for leaf peepers. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 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