ENGLISH
REFERENCE

photograph

n. countable
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈfoʊtəˌɡɹæf// UK //fˈəʊtəɡɹˌæf// pho·to·graph General-service

n. a picture made using a camera. You take one to remember a person, a place, or a special moment.

n. an image created by light falling on a photosensitive surface, usually film or an electronic sensor. Often shortened to 'photo' in informal contexts.


SIMPLE

She took a photograph of the mountains.

CONTEXTUAL

He keeps a framed photograph of his grandparents on his desk to remind him of home.

COMPLEX

The exhibition features a rare photograph from the early twentieth century, capturing the city's architecture before the rapid industrial expansion changed the skyline forever.

Synonyms
Origin

From photo- + -graph.

Usage

Commonly takes the preposition 'of' to indicate the subject; often used with the verbs 'take', 'snap', or 'capture'.

Pitfall

I made a photographI took a photographIn English, you 'take' a photograph rather than 'make' one, which is a common error for speakers of Romance languages.

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