kodak

kodak — verb

  • kodakpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • kodaks3rd person singular
  • kodaking-ing form
  • kodakedpast simple

1. to use a Kodak camera to make photographic images of scenes, events, or everyday

1.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to use a Kodak camera to make photographic images of scenes, events, or everyday life

Example

Grandmother Chiara liked to kodak in the garden when the flowers bloomed.

intransitive — no direct object after the verb

Visitors to the national park would kodak for hours, waiting for the perfect light.

Common collocations
  • kodak in the garden
  • kodak at events
  • kodak through the streets
  • kodak for hours
  • kodak along the river
Synonyms
  • take pictures

    modern equivalent; widely used and neutral in register

  • photograph

    more formal and standard; works across all contexts

  • snap

    informal, suggests quick or casual shots

Grammar Patterns

kodak + adverbial (place/time/manner)

Usage Note

Originally a trademarked brand name (Eastman Kodak Company). The verb use emerged in the early 1900s and is now dated — modern speakers prefer 'take pictures' or 'photograph.' Always written in lowercase as a verb.

Common Mistakes

He kodaked his vacation.
He kodaked during his vacation.
The intransitive sense does not take a direct object.
She kodaked with her phone.
She took photos with her phone.
'kodak' specifically refers to using a Kodak camera, not any camera or smartphone.

2. to aim a Kodak camera at a particular person, place, or object and produce a pho

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to aim a Kodak camera at a particular person, place, or object and produce a photographic image of them

Example

Minh kodaked the sunset over the harbour before dinner that evening.

transitive — takes a direct object (the scene)

The school photographer kodaked each child in front of a pale blue screen.

Common collocations
  • kodak the scenery
  • kodak the flowers
  • kodak the family
  • kodak the view
  • kodak the children
Synonyms
  • photograph

    the standard modern transitive verb; neutral register

  • capture

    slightly metaphorical; emphasises preserving a moment or scene

  • shoot

    informal; common in both still photography and film

Grammar Patterns

kodak + noun phrase (person/place/thing)

Usage Note

Like the intransitive sense, this derives from the Kodak trademark and is now dated. The transitive use ('kodak someone/something') was less common than absolute (intransitive) use even at the peak of its popularity.

Common Mistakes

She kodaked on the beach.' (when she meant she photographed a specific scene)
She kodaked the waves crashing on the beach.
Use a direct object when specifying what was captured.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four alternatives describe capturing images, but they differ in formality and scope. 'Take pictures' is the most neutral and broadly understood phrase — it works in any register and is the natural modern replacement for the dated 'kodak.' 'Photograph' is more formal and suggests deliberate, careful framing, often used in professional or journalistic contexts. 'Snap' is distinctly informal and implies quick, casual shots taken without much preparation. 'Shoot' is common in both still photography and filmmaking, leaning toward technical or informal use. For everyday conversation, 'take pictures' is the safest choice: 'We took pictures of the cherry blossoms along the river.' For a more formal tone, use 'photograph': 'The team photographed the archaeological site for the report.'

take picturesphotograph ↗snap ↗shoot ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • kodak happily
  • kodak carefully
  • kodak endlessly

Phrases

  • kodak all day
  • kodak for hours
  • kodak through the streets

Prepositions

  • kodak with [camera]
  • kodak in [place]
  • kodak at [event]

Etymology

Englishcoined term (George Eastman, 1888)

The word 'Kodak' was coined in 1888 by American inventor George Eastman as a trademark for his new roll-film camera. Eastman wanted a short, distinctive name that would be easy to say and remember. The camera's enormous popularity caused the brand name to enter everyday language as a verb meaning 'to take photographs' by the early 1900s. Although Eastman Kodak Company eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2012, the verb form survives in historical writing and nostalgic references to classic photography.