photoshop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (verb), Technical/Branded (noun)
Quick answer
What does “photoshop” mean?
A proprietary software application developed by Adobe Inc. for creating, editing, and manipulating digital images and graphics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proprietary software application developed by Adobe Inc. for creating, editing, and manipulating digital images and graphics.
As a verb (often lowercase or capitalized): to digitally alter or manipulate an image using software, especially Adobe Photoshop, often with the implication of deceptive or unrealistic modification.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Spelling conventions follow the standard UK/US differences in surrounding text (e.g., 'colour' vs. 'color' in example sentences).
Connotations
Identical; the verb often implies artificial enhancement or deception in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both tech-savvy and general contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “photoshop” in a Sentence
[someone] photoshops [something] (e.g., She photoshopped the sky.)[someone] photoshops [something] + particle (e.g., He photoshopped the blemish out.)[something] is photoshopped (passive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “photoshop” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She had to photoshop the grey sky to make it look blue for the brochure.
- That celebrity's waist was obviously photoshopped in the magazine spread.
American English
- He photoshopped his ex-boyfriend out of the old vacation picture.
- The realtor photoshopped the litter out of the yard shot for the listing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in marketing, design, and advertising departments ('We need to photoshop the product into the lifestyle shot').
Academic
Used in media studies, digital humanities, and ethics discussions regarding image manipulation.
Everyday
Widely understood verb for image alteration, often with a sceptical tone ('That beach body is totally photoshopped').
Technical
Precise term for specific digital image editing techniques using Adobe's software suite.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “photoshop”
- Capitalising the verb unnecessarily in informal contexts ('I Photoshopped it').
- Using it as a synonym for any image editing, even with simple apps (though this is becoming accepted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in informal and general contexts, lowercase 'photoshop' as a verb is very common. Adobe prefers the trademark to be capitalised, especially when referring specifically to their software.
While purists might object, generic use (like 'hoover' for vacuuming) is widespread. It often implies a sophisticated level of alteration, not just basic filters.
'Airbrush' derives from a physical retouching technique and often implies smoothing or removing flaws. 'Photoshop' is broader, encompassing any digital composite, addition, removal, or distortion.
Both 'photoshopped' (double p) and 'photoshopped' are seen, but 'photoshopped' is more common by analogy with other verbs ending in a single stressed syllable (e.g., 'stop' -> 'stopped').
A proprietary software application developed by Adobe Inc. for creating, editing, and manipulating digital images and graphics.
Photoshop is usually informal (verb), technical/branded (noun) in register.
Photoshop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfəʊtəʊʃɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfoʊtoʊʃɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “photoshop out of reality”
- “a photoshop job”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PHOTOgraph SHOP - a shop where you work on photos.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIGITAL IMAGE IS MALLEABLE MATERIAL (to be cut, pasted, airbrushed).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of the verb 'to photoshop' in everyday critical use?