definitions

ergo

[ ur-goh, er-goh ]
/ ˈɜr goʊ, ˈɛr goʊ /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ergo ON THESAURUS.COM

conjunction, adverb

therefore.

RELATED CONTENT

DuggarRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
English Affixes From A To Z: A One-Stop List Of Suffixes, Prefixes, and Combining FormsIn English, we love to make new words by adding all sorts of bits to the front and back of existing terms. These are called affixes, and they are added to the base or stem of a word. When attached to the end of word, the affix is called a suffix. And to the beginning? A prefix.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

accordingly, consequently, hence, so, then, therefore, thereupon, thus, thusly

Nearby words

ergasia, ergastoplasm, ergate, ergative, ergatocracy, ergo, ergo-, ergocalciferol, ergodic, ergograph, ergometer

Origin of ergo

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1350–1400

Definition for ergo (2 of 5)

ergo-

1

a combining form meaning “work”: ergograph.
Also especially before a vowel, erg-.

Origin of ergo-

1
combining form representing Greek érgon

Definition for ergo (3 of 5)

ergo-

2

a combining form of ergot: ergotoxine.

Origin of ergo-

2
From French

Definition for ergo (4 of 5)

post hoc, ergo propter hoc

[ pohst hohk, er-goh prohp-ter hohk; English pohst hok, ur-goh prop-ter hok er-goh ]
/ ˈpoʊst ˈhoʊk, ˈɛr goʊ ˈproʊp tɛr ˌhoʊk; English ˈpoʊst ˈhɒk, ˈɜr goʊ ˈprɒp tər ˌhɒk ˈɛr goʊ /

Latin.

after this, therefore because of it: a formula designating an error in logic that accepts as a cause something that merely occurred earlier in time.

Definition for ergo (5 of 5)

cogito, ergo sum

[ koh-gi-toh er-goh soo m; English koj-i-toh ur-goh suhm, er-goh ]
/ ˈkoʊ gɪˌtoʊ ˈɛr goʊ ˈsʊm; English ˈkɒdʒ ɪˌtoʊ ˈɜr goʊ ˈsʌm, ˈɛr goʊ /

Latin.

I think, therefore I am (stated by Descartes as the first principle in resolving universal doubt).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ergo

British Dictionary definitions for ergo (1 of 3)

ergo

1
/ (ˈɜːɡəʊ) /

sentence connector

therefore; hence

Word Origin for ergo

C14: from Latin: therefore

British Dictionary definitions for ergo (2 of 3)

ergo

2
/ (ˈɜːɡəʊ) /

noun

informal short for ergometer (def. 2)

British Dictionary definitions for ergo (3 of 3)

cogito, ergo sum

/ Latin (ˈkɒɡɪˌtəʊ ˈɜːɡəʊ ˈsʊm) /

I think, therefore I am; the basis of Descartes' philosophy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for ergo

ergo-

pref.

Work:ergometer.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Culture definitions for ergo

ergo

[ (er-goh, ur-goh) ]

Latin word meaning “therefore”; usually used to show a logical conclusion: “Birds are warm-blooded animals, and reptiles are cold-blooded animals; ergo, no bird is a reptile.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.