phon|ic /fɒ n I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] In linguistics, phonic means relating to the sounds of speech. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the phonic system underlying a particular language.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Phonics is a method of teaching people to read by training them to associate written letters with their sounds.
pho|no|graph /foʊ nəgrɑːf, -græf/ (phonographs ) N‑COUNT A phonograph is a record player. [AM , also BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
pho|nol|ogy /fənɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT In linguistics, phonology is the study of speech sounds in a particular language. [TECHNICAL ]
pho|ny /foʊ ni/ → see phoney
phos|phate /fɒ sfe I t/ (phosphates ) N‑VAR A phosphate is a chemical compound that contains phosphorus. Phosphates are often used in fertilizers.
phos|pho|res|cence /fɒ sfəre s ə ns/ N‑UNCOUNT Phosphorescence is a glow or soft light which is produced in the dark without using heat.
phos|pho|res|cent /fɒ sfəre s ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A phosphorescent object or colour glows in the dark with a soft light, but gives out little or no heat. □ …phosphorescent paint.
phos|phor|ic acid /fɒsfɒ r I k æ s I d, [AM ] -fɔː r-/ N‑UNCOUNT Phosphoric acid is a type of acid which contains phosphorus. [TECHNICAL ]
phos|pho|rus /fɒ sfərəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Phosphorus is a poisonous yellowish-white chemical element. It glows slightly, and burns when air touches it.
pho|to ◆◆◆ /foʊ toʊ/ (photos ) N‑COUNT A photo is the same as a photograph . □ We must take a photo! □ [+ of ] I've got a photo of him on the wall.
PREFIX photo-
is added to nouns and adjectives in order to form other nouns and adjectives which refer or relate to photography, or to light. For example, photosensitive film is sensitive to light.
pho|to|bomb /foʊ toʊbɒm/ (photobombs , photobombing , photobombed ) VERB If you photobomb someone, you spoil a photograph of them by stepping in front of them as the photograph is taken, often doing something silly such as making a funny face. □ [V n] This is the one where my sister photobombed me.
photo|card /foʊ toʊkɑːd/ (photocards ) N‑COUNT A photocard is a card with a person's photograph on it, which they can use to prove who they are. □ New season ticket purchasers should bring a passport-sized photograph for their photocard.
photo|copi|er /foʊ toʊkɒpiə r / (photocopiers ) N‑COUNT A photocopier is a machine which quickly copies documents onto paper by photographing them.
photo|copy /foʊ toʊkɒpi/ (photocopies , photocopying , photocopied )
1 N‑COUNT A photocopy is a copy of a document made using a photocopier.
2 VERB If you photocopy a document, you make a copy of it using a photocopier. □ [V n] Staff photocopied the cheque before cashing it.
pho to-fi nish (photo-finishes ) also photo finish N‑COUNT If the end of a race is a photo-finish , two or more of the competitors cross the finishing line so close together that a photograph of the finish has to be examined to decide who has won. □ He was just beaten in a photo-finish.
Photo|fit /foʊ toʊf I t/ (Photofits ) N‑COUNT A Photofit is a picture of someone wanted by the police which is made up of several photographs or drawings of different parts of the face. Compare e-fit , identikit . [BRIT , TRADEMARK ] □ [+ of ] The girl sat down with a police artist to compile a Photofit of her attacker.
photo|gen|ic /foʊ tədʒe n I k/ ADJ Someone who is photogenic looks nice in photographs. □ I've got a million photos of my boy. He's very photogenic.
photo|graph ◆◆◇ /foʊ təgrɑːf, -græf/ (photographs , photographing , photographed )
1 N‑COUNT A photograph is a picture made using a camera. □ [+ of ] He wants to take some photographs of the house. □ Her photograph appeared in The New York Times.
2 VERB When you photograph something, you use a camera to obtain a picture of it. □ [V n] She photographed the children. □ [be V -ed v-ing] They were photographed kissing on the platform.
pho|tog|ra|pher ◆◇◇ /fətɒ grəfə r / (photographers ) N‑COUNT A photographer is someone who takes photographs as a job or hobby.
photo|graph|ic /foʊ təgræ f I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Photographic means connected with photographs or photography. □ …photographic equipment. □ The bank is able to provide photographic evidence of who used the machine. ● photo|graphi|cal|ly /foʊ təgræ f I kli/ ADV □ …photographically reproduced copies of his notes.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have a photographic memory , you are able to remember things in great detail after you have seen them. □ He had a photographic memory for maps.
pho|tog|ra|phy /fətɒ grəfi/ N‑UNCOUNT Photography is the skill, job, or process of producing photographs. □ Photography is one of her hobbies. □ …some of the top names in fashion photography.
photo|jour|nal|ism /foʊ toʊdʒɜː r nəl I zəm/ also photo-journalism N‑UNCOUNT Photojournalism is a form of journalism in which stories are presented mainly through photographs rather than words. □ …some of the finest photo-journalism of the Civil Rights era. ● photo|jour|nal|ist (photojournalists ) N‑COUNT □ …the agency for many international photojournalists, Magnum Photos.
pho|ton /foʊ tɒn/ (photons ) N‑COUNT A photon is a particle of light. [TECHNICAL ]