mascot
MAS-kot
/ˈmæskɒt/
A person, animal, or object adopted by a group as a symbolic representative to bring good luck or promote a brand.
Usually implies a costumed character or stylized figure, often performing or interacting with the public.
The story behind the word. From the Provençal word mascoto, meaning witchcraft, charm, or piece of good luck, popularized by Edmond Audran's 1880 French comic opera La Mascotte.
Word relationships
- talisman: Talisman is an object believed to possess magical properties, whereas a mascot is a personified character used for branding or luck.
- detractor: Detractor is a person or thing that disparages or brings bad reputation, rather than representing goodwill.
Commonly confused with
- avatar: An avatar is a digital representation of a user, whereas a mascot is a public-facing brand representative.
Word family
- mascots (noun): plural of mascot
Collocations
- team mascot
- official mascot
- plush mascot
- mascot costume
Example sentences
- "The theme park's friendly dragon mascot walked around the plaza, hugging children and posing for photos." Theme park character
- "The university's mascot, a student dressed in a giant bulldog costume, danced on the sidelines to rally the crowd." Sports team symbol
Memory hook
A mascot wears a mask to bring good luck to the cot. A costumed character bringing luck.
When not to use
Do not use for a standard corporate logo that has no characterization or personified features.
Fun facts
- The first official Olympic mascot was Waldi the Dachshund, who appeared at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
Explore more words
totem, representative, merchandise, endorsement, avatar, fandom
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