logophile

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.

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.

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?

• logo
• logos
• audiophile
• discophile

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

• word
• language
• etymology
• dictionary
• thesaurus

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

Um. Given that I am such a logophile I read random dictionary entries for fun…and I own multiple dictionaries…of course I’ll be signing up. It’s the best addiction. 😉

— Lirit. (Semi-Inactive) (@EvelinaTacita) December 27, 2019

My ten year old using words like ‘uncanny’. Wow. He’s for sure my child. The child of a logophile. Bless 💖

— miss g (@honeybmissg) December 29, 2019

I learned a new word today! I am a logophile! Sounds like an illness, doesn’t it? Do you know what it means? I will tell you later!#logophile

— Maricarmen Campos (@Maricarmen_J2G) January 30, 2020

True or false?

Logophiles only care about rare or obscure words.