English Reference
noun

slogan

n.
US /ˈsɫoʊɡən/ UK /slˈəʊɡən/ slo·gan UK spelling slogan's, slogan's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a short phrase used by a company to help people remember a product or brand.

    a memorable catchphrase used in commercial advertising to promote a product, service, or brand identity.

    Simple

    The company's new slogan is so catchy that everyone is singing it.

    In context

    The marketing department spent months developing a slogan that would resonate with younger consumers without alienating their existing customer base.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a phrase that expresses the goals or beliefs of a group, like a political party.

    a distinctive motto or rallying cry associated with a particular movement, political party, or social cause.

    Simple

    Protesters shouted a simple slogan calling for cleaner air in the city.

    In context

    The candidate's campaign slogan focused on economic reform, appearing on every billboard and pamphlet throughout the election cycle.

    mottorallying crywatchword
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Archaic

    a shout used by soldiers in the past during a battle.

    a distinctive battle cry used by ancient Irish or Scottish clans to identify themselves in combat.

    Simple

    The highland clans would charge into battle with a terrifying slogan.

    In context

    Historians believe the term originated from the Gaelic 'sluagh-ghairm', referring to the traditional slogan used to gather the host for war.

    war crybattle cry

Image caption, The No-campaign has used the slogan "Iceland for sale?

BBC News· 26 Aug 2026

The tarp also includes tongue-in-cheek slogans such as "panel of experts", "VIP box" and "live connection".

The Local· 21 Aug 2026

From earlier sloggorne, slughorne, slughorn (“battle cry”), borrowed from Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm (“battle cry”), from Old Irish slóg (“army; (by extension) assembly, crowd”) + gairm (“a call, cry”). Slóg is derived from Proto-Celtic slougos (“army, troop”), from Proto-Indo-European slowgʰos, slowgos (“entourage”); and gairm from Proto-Celtic garsman (“a call, shout”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵeh₂r- (“to call, shout”). The English word is cognate with Latin garriō (“to chatter, prattle”), Old English caru (“anxiety, care, worry; grief, sorrow”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *ǵeh₂r-
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated