What does photograph mean?
A photograph is an image made by recording light, usually with a camera, although modern imaging devices can produce photographs as well. The word can refer to the resulting picture itself or, as a verb, to the act of recording an image. People commonly take photographs of people, places, objects, events, and documents, and photographs may serve personal, documentary, artistic, scientific, or commercial purposes. The full word photograph is standard in both formal and informal English, while photo is a frequent shortened form in everyday use. Related terms such as photography, photographer, and photographic describe the activity, the person carrying it out, and its qualities. The word is especially useful because it identifies an image produced through a recording process rather than, for example, a painting, drawing, or sculpture.
A picture or image made by means of a camera or other imaging device.
"The photograph appeared on the front page of the newspaper."
The shortened form photo is especially common in informal speech.
To record someone or something in a photograph.
"The photographer asked the group to stand beneath the old oak tree."
As a verb, photograph is less common in everyday speech than take a photograph of.
The plural is formed by adding -s to the end of the word.
"The exhibition features photographs from the expedition."
The word photograph literally means “a drawing made with light,” a compact description of how the first photographic images were created.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of photograph
Photograph combines the Greek roots phōtos, meaning “light,” and graphē, meaning “writing” or “drawing.” The formation reflects the early practice of recording images through light-sensitive materials. The word is closely related to photography and to the broader scientific vocabulary of photo- compounds, including photon, photometry, and photosynthesis.
Related word forms
How photograph is actually used
Photograph is the standard full term and is suitable in formal and informal contexts. Photo is more common in everyday speech, while photography and photograph often appear in professional, artistic, and technical contexts.
Easily confused with photograph
A photo is an informal shortened form of photograph, while a photograph is the complete and more formal term.