verb
Uncommon
photoshop
FOH-toh-shop
Photoshop (verb) means to digitally alter a photo, especially to change or improve someone's appearance. Example: “The magazine cover was clearly photoshopped to slim her waist.”
verb
1
To digitally alter a photo, especially to change or improve someone's appearance.
"The magazine cover was clearly photoshopped to slim her waist."
"He photoshopped the holiday picture to remove a stranger from the background."
"Some people photoshop their profile pictures to look younger online."
noun
1
An image that has been digitally edited or manipulated.
"That celebrity photo is an obvious photoshop."
"Everyone could tell the giant cat on the skyscraper was a photoshop."
"Is this sunset picture real, or is it just a clever photoshop?"
"I reckon the image is a photoshop."
How to use photoshop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo digitally edit a picture (often to make someone look different), or a picture that has been edited this way.
When to use it
Informal; using the brand name as a verb is common in everyday speech but avoided in formal or legal writing.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like photoshop.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- photoshops
- Third person singular
- photoshops
- Past tense
- photoshopped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Some people _____ their profile pictures to look younger online.
Etymology
From the trademarked software Adobe Photoshop, whose name became so common it turned into an everyday verb.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “photoshop” mean?
The word “photoshop” means to digitally alter a photo, especially to change or improve someone's appearance. In plain terms, to digitally edit a picture (often to make someone look different), or a picture that has been edited this way.
How do you pronounce “photoshop”?
“Photoshop” is pronounced FOH-toh-shop (/ˈfoʊ.toʊ.ʃɑp/ in IPA).
How do you use “photoshop” in a sentence?
Here is “photoshop” used in a sentence: “The magazine cover was clearly photoshopped to slim her waist.”
What part of speech is “photoshop”?
Depending on how it is used, “photoshop” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “photoshop” a common word?
“Photoshop” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “photoshop” have?
“Photoshop” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to digitally alter a photo, especially to change or improve someone's appearance.
Is 'photoshop' always capitalized?
When used as a lowercase verb or noun to describe digitally editing an image, "photoshop" is treated as a general term, though it derives from the capitalized brand name Photoshop. Style guides vary, but everyday usage frequently lowercases it when used generically, similar to other brand names that became common verbs.
What is the difference between photoshop and edit?
To photoshop specifically means to digitally alter a photo, especially to change or improve someone's appearance, often implying a noticeable or sometimes deceptive alteration. "Edit" is a broader, neutral term for making any change to an image, photo, or document.
Can photoshop be used as a noun?
Yes, as a noun, a photoshop refers to an image that has been digitally edited or manipulated. This is distinct from its use as a verb, which describes the act of digitally altering a photo.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include photoshop:
