(often initial capital letter) the rational principle that governs and develops the universe.
Theology. the divine word or reason incarnate in Jesus Christ. John 1:1–14.
First recorded in 1580–90; from Greek lógos “word, saying; speech, discourse; thought, reckoning; proportion, ratio,” derivative of légein “to choose, gather; recount, tell over, speak”; cf. lection
How does logos compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
In rhetoric, logos is a method of persuading someone using reason and logic. If you convince your grandpa that climate change is real by showing him scientific data, you're using logos. Philosophers have used the term logos since ancient times. Aristotle was the first to define the word as "reasoned discourse," and considered it one of the major forms of persuasion. Christians adopted logos to mean "the word of God," and Jungian psychology labels the rational part of the human mind as logos. Logos is a Greek word meaning "word, discourse, or reason," and it's the root of logic.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many Brazilians, he says, are creating capybara trademarks and logos.
From Slate • May 27, 2026
Younger shoppers in particular focus less on legacy logos, instead seeking out pop-ups or emerging domestic brands.
From Barron's • May 27, 2026
Around a dozen are close to completion while others sit with the logos of the shipping companies still visible on the outside, rudimentary windows cut out of the sides.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
They are often printed with the names and addresses and logos of legitimate companies and banks.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026
Because logos shares a root with logic, it would be easy enough to assume that the two were roughly the same thing.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
