Image vs. Visual: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
"An image is a representation of visual perception, like a photo, whereas visual refers to anything related to seeing or sight, often used as an adjective."
Key Differences
An image is a depiction or likeness of something that can be seen, such as a photograph or a painting, representing the appearance of someone or something. In contrast, visual pertains to the sense of sight and is related to things that are seen or can be seen. While an image is a tangible or visible representation, visual serves to describe things related to the process of seeing or the ability to see, such as visual effects or visual perception.
Images are concrete representations that one can see and often hold or view on a screen, capturing the likeness of an object, person, or scene. They are representations of the visual perception that one can interact with, such as viewing a family photo. On the other hand, visual is more encompassing and abstract, relating to anything perceived by the eye, like visual arts, which include a variety of art forms primarily perceived through sight.
The word image can also refer to a mental representation or idea, a concept or perception one holds, like having a positive self-image. Visual, in contrast, is generally used to describe things related to sight and seeing and is not typically used to represent mental or conceptual ideas or perceptions but rather the actual process or ability of seeing, like having a keen visual acuity.
In digital media, an image usually refers to a picture or graphic seen on a screen, representing visual elements captured or created graphically. Visual, in this context, could refer to the overall visual experience, including images, designs, and layouts, encompassing all visual elements encountered, such as the visual content of a website.
In symbolic terms, image might denote a symbol or icon representing something else, like a brand image, conveying specific meanings or values. Visual, however, may refer to the visual symbolism or representation through visual elements, like color and shape, interpreting the visual symbols perceived.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A representation of the external form of a person or thing.
Relating to seeing or sight.
Context
Can be tangible like a photo or intangible like a mental image.
Often used as an adjective to describe things related to seeing.
Usage
Can be a noun representing a likeness or reproduction.
Used to describe things connected to the ability to see.
Interpretation
Can be interpreted as a symbol or representation.
Related to the perception and interpretation of sight.
Application
Applied to denote representations, likenesses.
Applied to describe the experience or elements related to sight.
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Image and Visual Definitions
Image
A likeness or representation of someone or something, like a photo.
The image captured the beauty of the sunset.
Visual
Pertaining to the perception of images by the eye.
He has a keen visual sense.
Image
A person or thing resembling another closely.
She is the spitting image of her mother.
Visual
Related to or used in the visualization of something.
Visual techniques help in better understanding of the concepts.
Image
A representation of the form of a person or object, such as a painting or photograph.
Visual
A display designed to be looked at.
The presentation included several visuals to illustrate the points.
Image
A sculptured likeness.
Visual
Related to seeing or sight.
The book provides visual aids to support learning.
Image
(Physics) An optically formed duplicate, counterpart, or other representative reproduction of an object, especially an optical reproduction formed by a lens or mirror.
Visual
Of or relating to the sense of sight
A visual organ.
Visual receptors on the retina.
Image
One that closely or exactly resembles another
He is the image of his uncle.
Visual
Seen or able to be seen by the eye; visible
A visual presentation.
A design with a dramatic visual effect.
Image
Likeness; semblance
Genesis says that man was made in the image of God.
Visual
Optical.
Image
The opinion or concept of something that is held by the public
The public's image of business leaders as greedy.
Visual
Done, maintained, or executed by sight only
Visual navigation.
Image
The concept or character projected to the public, as by a person or institution, especially as interpreted by the mass media
An actor who tried to convey an image of refined beauty.
Visual
Having the nature of or producing an image in the mind
A visual memory of the scene.
Image
A typical example or embodiment
That child is the image of good health.
Visual
Of or relating to a method of instruction involving sight.
Image
A mental picture of something not real or present
Our image of the cottage did not conform with reality.
Visual
A picture, chart, or other presentation that appeals to the sense of sight, used in promotion or for illustration or narration
An ad campaign with striking visuals.
Trying to capture a poem in a cinematic visual.
Image
A vivid description or representation in words, especially a metaphor or simile
The poem uses the image of a barren tree to convey feelings of desolation.
Visual
Related to or affecting the vision.
Image
(Mathematics) A set of values of a function corresponding to a particular subset of a domain.
Visual
(obsolete) That can be seen; visible.
Image
(Computers) An exact replica of the contents of a storage device, such as a hard disk, stored on a second storage device, such as a network server.
Visual
Any element of something that depends on sight.
Image
(Obsolete) An apparition.
Visual
An image; a picture; a graphic.
Image
To make or produce a likeness of
Imaged the poet in bronze.
Visual
(in the plural) All the visual elements of a multimedia presentation or entertainment, usually in contrast with normal text or audio.
Image
To mirror or reflect
A statue imaged in the water.
Visual
(advertising) A preliminary sketch.
Image
To make a visual representation of (an object) using remote scanning or technology such as magnetic resonance imaging
Imaged the diseased kidneys.
Imaged the surface of Mars.
Visual
Of or pertaining to sight; used in sight; serving as the instrument of seeing; as, the visual nerve.
The air,Nowhere so clear, sharpened his visual ray.
Image
To symbolize or typify
A kneeling woman imaging the nation's grief.
Visual
That can be seen; visible.
Image
To picture mentally; imagine or visualize
Imaged each dive before doing it.
Visual
Relating to or using sight;
Ocular inspection
An optical illusion
Visual powers
Visual navigation
Image
To describe, especially so vividly as to evoke a mental picture
The passage images what it's like to grow up poor.
Visual
Able to be seen;
Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof
A visual presentation
A visual image
Image
To print (a file) using a laser printer, imagesetter, direct-to-plate press, or similar device.
Visual
Something such as a picture, diagram, or movie intended to be looked at.
The visual showed the internal structure of the cell.
Image
To transmit (an exact replica of the contents of a storage device) to another storage device
Imaged the hard drive to the server.
Image
An optical or other representation of a real object; a graphic; a picture.
The Bible forbids the worship of graven images.
Image
A mental picture of something not real or not present.
Image
A statue or idol.
Image
(computing) A file that contains all information needed to produce a live working copy. (See disk image and image copy.)
Most game console emulators do not come with any ROM images for copyright reasons.
Image
A characteristic of a person, group or company etc., style, manner of dress, how one is or wishes to be perceived by others.
Image
(mathematics) What a function maps to.
The number 6 is the image of 3 under f that is defined as f(x) = 2x.
Image
(mathematics) The subset of a codomain comprising those elements that are images of something.
The image of this step function is the set of integers.
Image
(radio) A form of interference: a weaker "copy" of a strong signal that occurs at a different frequency.
Image
(obsolete) Show; appearance; cast.
Image
(transitive) To represent by an image or symbol; to portray.
Image
(transitive) To reflect, mirror.
Image
(transitive) To create an image of.
Image
To create a complete backup copy of a file system or other entity.
Image
An imitation, representation, or similitude of any person, thing, or act, sculptured, drawn, painted, or otherwise made perceptible to the sight; a visible presentation; a copy; a likeness; an effigy; a picture; a semblance.
Even like a stony image, cold and numb.
Whose is this image and superscription?
This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna.
And God created man in his own image.
Image
Hence: The likeness of anything to which worship is paid; an idol.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, . . . thou shalt not bow down thyself to them.
Image
Show; appearance; cast.
The face of things a frightful image bears.
Image
A representation of anything to the mind; a picture drawn by the fancy; a conception; an idea.
Can we conceiveImage of aught delightful, soft, or great?
Image
A picture, example, or illustration, often taken from sensible objects, and used to illustrate a subject; usually, an extended metaphor.
Image
The figure or picture of any object formed at the focus of a lens or mirror, by rays of light from the several points of the object symmetrically refracted or reflected to corresponding points in such focus; this may be received on a screen, a photographic plate, or the retina of the eye, and viewed directly by the eye, or with an eyeglass, as in the telescope and microscope; the likeness of an object formed by reflection; as, to see one's image in a mirror.
Image
To represent or form an image of; as, the still lake imaged the shore; the mirror imaged her figure.
Image
To represent to the mental vision; to form a likeness of by the fancy or recollection; to imagine.
Condemn'd whole years in absence to deplore,And image charms he must behold no more.
Image
An iconic mental representation;
Her imagination forced images upon her too awful to contemplate
Image
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Image
(Jungian psychology) a personal facade that one presents to the world;
A public image is as fragile as Humpty Dumpty
Image
A standard or typical example;
He is the prototype of good breeding
He provided America with an image of the good father
Image
Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
Image
Someone who closely resembles a famous person (especially an actor);
He could be Gingrich's double
She's the very image of her mother
Image
A representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture);
The coin bears an effigy of Lincoln
The emperor's tomb had his image carved in stone
Image
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Image
A mental representation or idea.
He has a negative image of himself.
Image
A symbol or icon representing something else.
The company wants to improve its corporate image.
Image
A visual design or depiction used in media.
The magazine used powerful images in the article.
FAQs
Can an image be a mental representation?
Yes, an image can refer to a mental representation or idea of something.
Does visual relate to sight?
Yes, visual pertains to anything related to seeing or sight.
Can a photograph be referred to as an image?
Yes, a photograph is a common example of an image.
Is visual used to describe things connected to seeing?
Yes, visual is often used as an adjective to describe things related to the ability to see or related to sight.
Can visual refer to a display or a diagram?
Yes, a display, diagram, or any element intended to be looked at can be referred to as a visual.
Is a brand logo an example of an image?
Yes, a brand logo is an example of an image representing a brand.
Can a painting be considered an image?
Yes, a painting is considered an image as it represents a visual perception.
Is an image a representation of something?
Yes, an image is a representation or likeness of someone or something.
Can the term image refer to a person’s reputation?
Yes, image can refer to the perception or representation of a person’s character or reputation.
Are visual aids used to enhance understanding?
Yes, visual aids are used to supplement information and enhance understanding.
Can an image be symbolic?
Yes, an image can be symbolic and represent other meanings or values.
Can an image be created digitally?
Yes, images can be created or manipulated digitally using graphic design software.
Is visual art a form of art perceived primarily by sight?
Yes, visual art is a form of art that includes elements primarily perceived through sight.
Can the word image refer to a reflection?
Yes, image can also refer to a reflection seen in a mirror or other reflective surfaces.
Can visual acuity refer to the sharpness of vision?
Yes, visual acuity refers to the clarity or sharpness of vision.
Does visual perception relate to the ability to interpret visual information?
Yes, visual perception relates to the ability to interpret information acquired through sight.
Can visual learning be a learning style?
Yes, visual learning is a style where learners prefer using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate with others.
Can visual elements include colors, shapes, and patterns?
Yes, visual elements encompass colors, shapes, patterns, and other components perceived by sight.
Does visual communication involve conveying information through visual elements?
Yes, visual communication involves using visual elements like images, graphs, and charts to convey information.
Can the image of a company influence its success?
Yes, a company’s image can significantly impact its reputation and success.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
