photo
FOH-toh
Photo (noun) means a picture taken with a camera or phone. Example: “He pinned a photo of his grandmother above his desk.”
noun
1
A picture taken with a camera or phone.
"He pinned a photo of his grandmother above his desk."
"She took a photo of the sunset over the bay."
"Can you send me that photo from last night?"
verb
1
To take a photograph of someone or something.
"The guide photoed us in front of the old stone bridge."
"She photoed every dish before anyone was allowed to eat."
"They photoed the whole team before the match."
How to use photo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe everyday, shortened word for "photograph."
Common pairings
take a photo
photo album
profile photo
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Word forms
- Plural
- photos
- Third person singular
- photos
- Past tense
- photoed
Fill the gap
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He pinned a _____ of his grandmother above his desk.
Etymology
A clipped form of "photograph," itself from Greek photo- ("light") plus -graph ("writing" or "recording").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for photo
See all rhymes for photo →Frequently asked questions
What does “photo” mean?
The word “photo” means a picture taken with a camera or phone. In plain terms, the everyday, shortened word for "photograph.".
How do you pronounce “photo”?
“Photo” is pronounced FOH-toh (/ˈfəʊ̯.təʊ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “photo” in a sentence?
Here is “photo” used in a sentence: “She took a photo of the sunset over the bay.”
What part of speech is “photo”?
Depending on how it is used, “photo” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “photo” come from?
The word “photo” comes from Greek. A clipped form of "photograph," itself from Greek photo- ("light") plus -graph ("writing" or "recording").
Is “photo” a common word?
“Photo” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “photo” have?
“Photo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a picture taken with a camera or phone.
What is the difference between a photo and a photograph?
There is no real difference in meaning: photo is simply the everyday, shortened form of photograph. Both refer to a picture captured with a camera or phone. Photo sounds more casual and is far more common in conversation, while photograph feels slightly more formal or technical.
What is the difference between a photo and a picture?
A photo is always made with a camera or phone, capturing a real scene as light hits a sensor or film. A picture is broader: it covers photos but also drawings, paintings, and digital images. So every photo is a picture, but not every picture is a photo.
What are the common types of photo?
Photos are often grouped by subject or style: portraits of people, landscapes of scenery, still lifes of objects, and candid shots taken without posing. Others include close-up or macro photos, action shots, and selfies taken at arm's length. The type usually reflects what is pictured and how it is framed.
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