# mascot

/ˈmæsˌkɑt/ (US) · /mˈæskɒt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mascot
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a group symbol

noun · CEFR B2

a person, animal, or object used to represent a team or company and bring good luck.

For teachers: a person, animal, or object adopted by a group as a symbolic representative, often intended to bring good luck.

- The team's mascot is a friendly lion that dances during the games.
- The university chose a local species of hawk as its mascot to reflect the region's natural heritage and the team's competitive spirit.

### 2. a costumed performer

noun · CEFR B2

a person who wears a large costume to perform as a team's character.

For teachers: an individual employed to portray a symbolic character in a full-body costume during public events.

- The student got a summer job working as the mascot for the local baseball team.
- Being a professional mascot requires significant physical stamina, as the heavy costumes can become dangerously hot during afternoon matches.

### 3. psychological role

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a person who uses jokes and a happy attitude to avoid arguments or tension.

For teachers: a personality type within a dysfunctional group that uses humor and positivity to deflect conflict or defuse tension.

- In his family, he played the mascot, always making jokes to stop his parents from fighting.
- The therapist identified that the youngest child often acted as the mascot, employing slapstick humor to distract from the growing domestic tension.

### 4. to represent as a mascot

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal

to act as a mascot for a team or group.

For teachers: to serve or perform in the capacity of a mascot for an organization.

- She volunteered to mascot for the charity walk while wearing a giant bear suit.
- He has mascotted for the national team for over a decade, becoming a recognisable figure at every international tournament.

Usage: The verb is often used intransitively or with 'for'.

## Examples

- The team's mascot is a friendly lion.
- The university chose a local wolf as their mascot to represent the strength and unity of the student body.
- While originally rooted in superstitious beliefs about luck, the modern mascot serves primarily as a focal point for communal identity and a versatile tool for commercial marketing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.