Logo Is Short for Logotype, a Printing Term
A logo is an emblem identifying an organisation. The word comes from a single piece of metal type.
A logo is a symbol or design identifying a company or product. It shortens *logotype*, which in printing meant a single piece of type carrying a whole word rather than one letter — a time-saver for words a printer set constantly, such as a newspaper's own name. The masthead was literally one block of metal, and the name transferred to the design. Greek *logos* means a word, which is why a logo is named for text even when it contains none.
- An identifying emblem. *A company logo.*
- Logotype — the full word. *A logotype.*
- A single type block. *The printing sense.*
- Masthead. *A masthead.*
- Greek — *logos*, a word. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | logo | A logo. |
| Plural | logos | Logos. |
| Full form | logotype | A logotype. |
| Related | ligature | A ligature. |
| Greek | logos | A word. |
- The logo was redesigned.Branding.
- A logotype was one block.Printing.
- Logos means a word.Etymology.
Design terms worth distinguishing
- Logotype — a name set as a distinctive piece of lettering
- Logomark — a symbol with no letters
- Wordmark — the name alone, styled
- Monogram — initials combined into one shape
- Most modern logos combine a mark and a wordmark
Short for *logotype*, from Greek *logos*, a word, and *typos*, an impression.
What was a logotype in printing?
A single piece of type carrying a whole word, used for words a printer set repeatedly, such as a newspaper's own name.
Why is a wordless symbol still called a logo?
Because the word comes from printing, where the block carried text. The name outlived the technology.