kodachrome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, poetic
Quick answer
What does “kodachrome” mean?
A proprietary name for a brand of colour reversal film introduced by Kodak.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proprietary name for a brand of colour reversal film introduced by Kodak.
Often used to metaphorically refer to vibrant, saturated colour, nostalgic or idealised memories, or a bygone era of analogue photography, popularised by the 1973 Paul Simon song.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The trademark and the cultural reference are equally understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of nostalgia, vibrant colour, and mid-20th-century Americana.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, slightly more common in contexts discussing photography, music, or cultural history.
Grammar
How to Use “kodachrome” in a Sentence
[Verb] + Kodachrome (e.g., 'shoot with Kodachrome')[Adjective] + Kodachrome (e.g., 'iconic Kodachrome')[Preposition] + Kodachrome (e.g., 'memories in Kodachrome')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “kodachrome” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The scene had a Kodachrome vividness about it.
American English
- He described his childhood in Kodachrome detail.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Only in historical contexts of the photography industry.
Academic
Used in studies of material culture, media history, or the etymology of brand names becoming generic.
Everyday
Used by older generations or photography enthusiasts to refer to a specific, nostalgic type of colour photo.
Technical
Refers precisely to the K-14 development process and the specific dye-coupled film chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “kodachrome”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “kodachrome”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “kodachrome”
- Misspelling as 'Kodacrome' or 'Kodachrome'. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I kodachromed the scene').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The last roll of Kodachrome film was developed in January 2011.
The song 'Kodachrome' (1973) popularised the term as a metaphor for happy, colourful memories, moving it beyond a simple brand name into the cultural lexicon.
Yes, but only metaphorically. You can say a digital photo has 'a Kodachrome look' to mean it has saturated, warm, nostalgic colours reminiscent of that film stock.
Traditionally, yes, as it is a trademark (Kodachrome). In metaphorical use, it is sometimes seen with a lowercase 'k' (kodachrome), but the capitalised form remains standard.
A proprietary name for a brand of colour reversal film introduced by Kodak.
Kodachrome is usually formal, literary, poetic in register.
Kodachrome: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊdəkrəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊdəkroʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Something] looks like it's straight out of Kodachrome.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'KODA-chrome gives you a CHROME (shiny, colourful) memory from the past.'
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORIES ARE VIVID PHOTOGRAPHS; THE PAST IS A SATURATED IMAGE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary contemporary use of the word 'Kodachrome'?