PNG
3 synonyms for PNG, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An image format that stores a picture without losing any detail and can make parts of the image transparent, commonly used for logos, screenshots and graphics with sharp edges.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
portable network graphics
image format
lossless image
How to use PNG
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
transparent PNG
export as PNG
PNG with alpha
save the screenshot as a PNG
Everyday word among designers, developers and general computer users. Written in capitals.
Etymology
An initialism of Portable Network Graphics.
Full origin of PNG →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PNG and JPEG?
PNG is lossless, so it keeps every pixel exactly as it was, which suits flat colour, text and sharp lines. JPEG discards fine detail to shrink the file, which suits photographs. PNG also supports transparency, so a logo can sit on any background, while ordinary JPEG cannot.
Why is a PNG file often so large?
Because nothing is thrown away. Lossless compression only removes genuine repetition, so a detailed photograph saved as PNG can be several times the size of the same photograph as a JPEG.
Does PNG support animation?
The base PNG format holds a single still image. A separate extension called APNG stores animated frames in a PNG file, and it is supported by most modern browsers, though not by every image tool.
