What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
photo
Example
I took a photo of the sunset at the beach. [photo: noun]
Example
She loves to take photos of her travels and adventures. [photos: plural noun]
picture
Example
The museum has a collection of famous paintings and pictures. [picture: noun]
Example
I can picture myself relaxing on the beach with a good book. [picture: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Photo is more commonly used than picture in everyday language, especially in the context of digital photography. However, picture can be more formal or literary, and is often used in art or literature.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between photo and picture?
Picture can be more formal or literary than photo, and is often used in artistic or literary contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context and audience.