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REFERENCE

photo

n. · v.
US //ˈfoʊˌtoʊ// UK //fˈəʊtəʊ// pho·to
  1. 1 a picture (n.)
    A1 Beginner Informal

    a picture taken with a camera or phone.

    an image produced by the action of light on a sensitive surface or digital sensor.

    Example

    She took a photo of her friends at the beach to remember the day.

    Example

    The journalist uploaded a high-resolution photo of the protest, capturing the intensity of the crowd before the police arrived.

    Usage

    Usually takes the verb 'take' and the preposition 'of' for the subject.

    Teacher's tip

    While technically informal, 'photo' is now the standard term in almost all contexts except for very formal art galleries or legal documents.
    Pitfall
    I made a photo of the sunset.
    I took a photo of the sunset.

    In English, you 'take' a photo; you do not 'make' one.

  2. 2 to take a picture (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to take a picture of someone or something.

    to capture an image of a subject using a camera. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    The fans tried to photo the celebrity as she walked to her car.

    Example

    The researchers spent weeks in the field attempting to photo the elusive snow leopard in its natural habitat.

    Usage

    Used as a transitive verb; the object is the person or thing being photographed.
Origin

Clipping of photograph.

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