What does pix mean?
Pix is an informal English noun used mainly for pictures, photographs, or other visual images. It is normally plural in form and has a practical, media-oriented tone rather than the technical precision of “pixels,” the individual colored units that make up a digital image. A writer might describe a set of photographs as “some pix” or refer to the images shown on a website as “the pix.” The word can also function technically as the plural of pixel, although that use is less common in general prose. Pix is especially useful in photography, film, graphic design, and digital-media contexts, where it conveys the idea of images collectively and conversationally. Although its vocabulary is informal, it is widely understood in British and American English and is not restricted to a single artistic medium. In formal technical documentation, “pixels” is normally preferable when the individual elements of an image are meant.
An informal plural term for photographs, pictures, or other visual images.
"The magazine published a series of travel pix from the expedition."
This is the common informal sense and is especially associated with photography and visual media.
The plural of pixel, referring to the individual elements that make up a digital image.
"The image contains more than three million pix."
In technical contexts, “pixels” is the more standard form.
Pix is the standard plural of pixel; the singular is pixel.
"The scan contains millions of pix."
Pix turns a technical unit—the pixel—into a breezy label for a batch of images.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of pix
Pix developed from pixel, a word coined in the 1960s as a blend of picture and element. It became established as the irregular plural of pixel and also functions as an informal collective noun for pictures or images, especially in photography and media contexts.
How pix is actually used
Informal and usually plural in form; it is especially associated with photography and media discussions. It is not normally used as a singular noun.
Easily confused with pix
Pix usually refers collectively to images, especially photographs, whereas pixels are the individual elements that form a digital image.