© 2026 Sloth Lingo. Learn easy. Lounge wisely.

photoreceptor

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: //ˌfoʊtəˈrɛptər//

KK: /ˈfoʊtoʊrɪˌsɛptər/

noun
Definition

A type of cell or structure in the body that is sensitive to light and helps in the process of vision.


Example

The photoreceptors in the retina convert light into signals that the brain can understand.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever heard of a photoreceptor?
Sloth B
Yeah, it's something to do with how we see light, right?
Sloth A
Exactly! They help our eyes detect different light levels.
Sloth B
That’s fascinating! I didn't realize how important they are for vision.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
sensor
receptor
detector
Antonyms
emitter
source
producer
Root Explanation

Photoreceptor → It is formed from "photo-" (from Greek "phōs", meaning light) and "receptor" (from Latin "recipere", meaning to receive). The word describes a cell or structure that receives or responds to light.

Memory Tip

Think of 'light' ('photo-') being 'received' ('receptor') by a cell — that's what a photoreceptor does.

Visually Confused Words
preceptor
Is this page helpful?