photographic

adjective

pho·​to·​graph·​ic ˌfō-tə-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce photographic (audio)
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 adverb

Examples of photographic in a Sentence

photographic images of the galaxy
Recent Examples on the Web Benner likens this to creating a hole in an old photographic negative with a paper hole punch. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 But the photographic debacle on Sunday only fueled rumors about Kate’s whereabouts. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 The air, bathed yellow by safe lights, smells of photographic chemicals and is filled with a rhythmic clicking and a shuttling swoosh. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Renowned Canadian photographic artist and filmmaker Edward Burtynsky has taken over two vast floors at London’s Saatchi Gallery to present Extraction/Abstraction, the largest exhibition of his 40 year career. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Using a nearly monochromatic mix of black ink and photographic stills, Kantor imagines the moment when Haim escaped a group of Nazis by hiding in a pigsty. Peter Debruge, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 After their work was done, two of the hunks hit up a step-and-repeat to get some photographic evidence to remember their starry afternoon. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 This caused quite a stir, despite not being accompanied by photographic or video proof. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024 Hart noted that Miller’s find also highlighted the usefulness of photographic equipment. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'photographic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of photographic was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near photographic

Cite this Entry

“Photographic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photographic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

photographic

adjective
pho·​to·​graph·​ic ˌfōt-ə-ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce photographic (audio)
1
: relating to, obtained by, or used in photography
photographic supplies
2
: capable of remembering details exactly
a photographic memory
photographically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on photographic

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