photographs

IPA/ˈfəʊ.tə.ɡrɑːf/

KK[fˈotəɡrˌæfs]IPA/ˈfoʊ.t̬oʊ.ɡræf/

photographssingular
photographsesplural

1.nounA2

Definition

an image that you make using a camera, either printed on paper, stored on a memory card, or shared as a digital file

Example

Yuki showed her friends the photographs she took during her trip to Japan.

Grandma keeps all her old family photographs in a big brown box under her bed.

collocation: old family photographs / family photographs

Common collocations

take a photograph
old photographs
family photographs
wedding photographs
digital photographs
black-and-white photographs
framed photographs
photograph album
photograph collection

Synonyms

picture
more general term — can include drawings and paintings as well as camera images
photo
informal shortening of 'photograph', very common in everyday speech
snap
British informal term for a quickly taken photograph
shot
informal, often used for a single photo taken by a professional or in sports photography

Usage Note

The British English spelling is also 'photographs'; the word 'photo' is a common informal short form. In everyday speech, 'picture' and 'photo' are often used interchangeably, though 'photograph' sounds more formal or precise.

Common Mistakes

I took many photograph at the park.

I took many photographs at the park.

'photograph' is a countable noun and needs a plural ending 's' when referring to more than one.

photographspresent simple I / you / we / they
photographses3rd person singular
photographsing-ing form
photographsedpast simple

1.verbtransitiveA2

Definition

to use a camera to capture an image of someone or something, whether with a phone, a digital camera, or film equipment

Example

Carlos loves to photograph birds in the park near his apartment early in the morning.

A professional photographer was hired to photograph the bride and groom at the wedding.

passive: was hired to photograph [person/event]

Common collocations

photograph wildlife
photograph a wedding
photograph the scene
photograph in black and white
photograph with a digital camera
photograph on film

Synonyms

take a picture of
more conversational and common in everyday speech
shoot
informal or professional term, suggests speed or volume ('shoot fifty frames')
snap
very informal, suggests a quick casual photo ('snap a picture of the menu')
capture
more artistic or emotional tone ('capture the mood of the crowd')

Grammar Patterns

photograph + noun phrase

Usage Note

This is the most common verb sense and is usually transitive: you photograph someone or something. However, the object can be omitted when the focus is on the activity itself ('We spent the morning photographing'). 'Take a picture of' is much more common in spoken English; 'photograph' is more neutral-to-formal in writing.

Common Mistakes

She photographed the view with her phone camera.

She took a picture of the view with her phone.

In everyday conversation, 'take a picture of' is far more natural than 'photograph'.

2.verbintransitiveB1

Definition

to have a particular appearance when your picture is taken — for instance, looking attractive, natural, or exactly like yourself, depending on the adverb that follows

Example

Maya photographs well in natural light, but she looks pale under fluorescent lamps.

adverb: photograph well / photograph badly

Kofi worries that he does not photograph well, so he avoids joining group pictures at parties.

Common collocations

photograph well
photograph badly
photograph beautifully
photograph terribly
not photograph well
photograph in a certain way

Synonyms

come out (in photos)
informal phrasal verb, e.g. 'She comes out well in photos'
look in photos
more literal and common in everyday speech

Grammar Patterns

photograph + manner adverb (well / badly / beautifully)

Usage Note

This sense is always used with a manner adverb placed directly after the verb — most commonly 'well' or 'badly'. It is intransitive: you never say 'I photographed him well' to mean he looked good; instead say 'He photographs well'. The subject is the person or thing being photographed, not the photographer. Common adverbs: well, badly, beautifully, terribly.

Common Mistakes

She photographs him well.' (intended meaning: he looks good in her photos)

He photographs well.

In this sense, the subject of 'photograph' is the person who appears in the photo, not the person taking it.

I photographed well at my sister's wedding.' (intended: the photos of me look good)

I photograph well at my sister's wedding.

Use present simple for a general quality; past tense 'photographed' would mean the action of taking photos.

Word family

photo
nounA2
photographer
nounB1
photography
nounB1
photographic
adjectiveB1
photogenic
adjectiveB2
photocopy
verbA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

The verb 'photograph' is the most neutral and complete way to say 'record an image with a camera'. It works in formal writing and precise descriptions. 'Take a picture of' is the everyday conversational alternative — you would say 'I took a picture of the sunset' rather than 'I photographed the sunset' in normal speech. 'Shoot' is more informal and often implies speed or a large volume ('The journalist shot a hundred photos in ten minutes'). It is also the professional term in cinema and fashion. 'Snap' is very casual and suggests a quick, unplanned photo ('She snapped a picture of the menu with her phone'). 'Capture' has a more artistic or emotional tone ('He captured the joy of the children playing'). Choose 'photograph' when writing formally or requiring precision; use 'take a picture of' for natural everyday conversation.

take a picture ofshoot ↗snap ↗capture ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

take a photograph
have one's photograph taken
a collection of photographs
photograph album

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekEnglish

The word 'photograph' was created from two Greek roots: 'phos' (light) and 'graphē' (drawing or writing), together meaning 'drawing with light'. The English scientist Sir John Herschel first used 'photography' in 1839, the same year the invention of the daguerreotype was announced to the world. The shorter form 'photo' appeared in the 1860s, and people began using 'photograph' as a verb soon after when portable cameras became available. The idea of 'light writing' perfectly describes what a camera does — it uses light to create a lasting image.

First known use

1839

1839, in the meaning defined above Verb

photographs

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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photographs

photographs — noun

1. an image that you make using a camera, either printed on paper, stored on a memo

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

photographs — verb

1. to use a camera to capture an image of someone or something, whether with a phon

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to have a particular appearance when your picture is taken — for instance, looki

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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