Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person, animal, or object adopted by a group (such as a sports team, school, or organization) as a symbol believed to bring good luck or to represent its identity and spirit.

Usage

• The word "mascot" is used to refer to the symbolic figure itself. It is typically a singular, countable noun.
• It is often used with verbs like , , , , and .
• Example:

Examples

• Noun:
  • The football team's mascot is a fierce eagle.
  • A student dressed as the tiger mascot led the cheer at the pep rally.
  • Many companies use a friendly character as a brand mascot.

Advanced Usage

• "to serve as a mascot": to function in the role of a lucky symbol.
  • The rescued dog now serves as the fire station's mascot.
• "team mascot" / "school mascot": specifies the group the mascot represents.
  • The school mascot rallied the crowd during the championship game.

Variants and Related Words

• Mascotry (noun, rare): The office or function of a mascot.
• Mascot costume: The outfit worn by a person portraying the mascot.

Synonyms

• Talisman: An object thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck. (More general, not necessarily a group symbol.)
• Emblem: A heraldic device or symbolic object as a distinctive badge. (Focuses more on representation than luck.)
• Symbol: Something that represents or stands for something else.

Idioms and Phrases

• "Good luck mascot": Emphasizes the mascot's role in bringing fortune.
  • The quarterback considers his old hat his good luck mascot.
• "Live mascot": Refers to a real animal that serves as a mascot, as opposed to a person in a costume or a statue.
  • The university's live mascot, a bulldog named Uga, attends all the home games.

Noun

1. a person or animal that is adopted by a team or other group as a symbolic figure