Dictionary.com

logophile

[ law-guh-fahyl, log-uh- ]
/ ˈlɔ gəˌfaÉȘl, ˈlɒg ə- /
Save This Word!
noun
a lover of words.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"
"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."
Question 1 of 7
IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?
have
be
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of logophile

logo- + -phile

Words nearby logophile

logography, logogriph, logomachy, logopaedics, logopedics, logophile, logophobia, logoplegia, logorrhea, logorrhoea, logos
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

MORE ABOUT LOGOPHILE

What does logophile mean?

A logophile is a person who loves words; a word nerd.

Because it’s not all that commonly known, logophile is probably most commonly used by logophiles themselves.

Example: My English teacher’s passion for words rubbed off on me and turned me into a logophile.

Where does logophile come from?

Word lovers have been around since words were invented, but the word logophile is more recent, recorded in English at least by the early 1900s. It is composed of two Greek roots: logo-, meaning “word” or “speech,” and -philos, which gave us the form -phile, meaning “lover of” or “enthusiast for”—as seen in words like bibliophile (book lover) and cinephile (movie buff).

Logophiles love learning and using obscure, rare, and new words, even (and sometimes especially) slang. They love building their vocabulary (typically through lots of reading, meaning they’re usually bibliophiles, too) and are often interested in a word’s etymology—its origin and history. Logophiles love new and unique ways of saying things, but that doesn’t mean they’re only keen on “big words.” For logophiles, it’s also about using the right word. If you’re a logophile—and it sure looks like you are!—you’ve come to the right place.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of logophile?

  • logophiles (plural noun)
  • logophillia (noun)

What are some synonyms for logophile?

  • word lover

What are some words that share a root or word element with logophile?

What are some words that often get used in discussing logophile?

How is logophile used in real life?

Logophile is most commonly used by logophiles—especially when they’re excited about a new word they’ve just learned.

 

 

Try using logophile!

True or false?

Logophiles only care about rare or obscure words.

FEEDBACK