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photographer

Etymology and origin of the English word photographer

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1842

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /fəˈtɒɡ.ɹə.fə/ (UK); /fəˈtɑ.ɡɹə.fɚ/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from the verb photograph and the agent suffix -er.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who makes pictures by photography: 1843 in Etymonline,[2] 1842 in MWU,[3] 1847 in the OED.[4]

Semantic evolution

Photographist is also attested from 1843 but did not last.[2] The word is used both of professionals and of amateurs taking photographs as a hobby.[5]

Timeline

  • 1842 – first known use (MWU).[3]
  • 1843 – photographer and photographist.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A person who takes photographs, especially as a profession.

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Photographer.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/photographer. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·