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• algo
  algo

  noun

  algorithm.
• algo-
  algo-

  a combining form meaning “pain,” used in the formation of compound words.

algo

¹ American  

[al-goh] / ˈæl goʊ /

noun

Computers Informal.

1. algorithm.

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algo- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “pain,” used in the formation of compound words.

   algophobia.

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algo- British  

combining form

1. denoting pain

   algometer

   algophobia

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Usage

What does algo- mean? Algo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “pain.” It is occasionally used in medical terms, especially in psychiatry and pathology. Algo- comes from the Greek álgos, meaning “pain.” Similar in meaning and use to algo- are odyno- and -odynia, which derive from odýnē, also meaning “pain.”Corresponding forms of algo- combined to the end of words are -algia, as in ovarialgia, or -algy, as in coxalgy. Learn more about these forms in our Words That Use articles for each.

Etymology

Origin of algo¹

First recorded in 1990–95; by shortening

Origin of algo-²

Combining form representing Greek álgos

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

algo

Historically, the market has awarded firms with a lower risk profile, or lower beta, a higher P/E for a given algo.

From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026

“What comes up a lot in the sessions is, ‘Prefiero irme con algo, que irme sin nada,’” Gallegos said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2025

However, that all comes down to the complexity of the algorithm and the way the algo is built to serve a certain listener.

From Slate ● Mar. 8, 2023

“It’s like, okay we created this art about escaping, but at the same time we’re all in the algo that’s giving us the reward for being on our phone,” she said.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 22, 2022

Before the lighted altar of St. Joseph I noticed a magnificent looking hidalgo, muy hijo de algo y de limpia sangre, with three equally grandly built young sons beside him.

From Heroic Spain by O'Reilly, Elizabeth Boyle