# raster image

CEFR C1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/raster-image
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a digital picture made of a grid of tiny colored dots called pixels. When you zoom in very close, you can see the individual squares that make up the image.

For teachers: a digital image file format composed of a fixed grid of pixels, where each pixel is assigned a specific color value. Unlike vector graphics, these images lose clarity and become pixelated when scaled beyond their original resolution.

## Examples

- A photograph on your phone is a raster image.
- The designer explained that a raster image is perfect for complex photographs but poor for logos that need to be resized.
- While vector graphics rely on mathematical paths to maintain sharpness at any scale, a raster image is resolution-dependent and will exhibit aliasing if enlarged significantly.

## Usage notes

- Commonly contrasted with 'vector image' or 'vector graphic'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.