Pathos Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈpæθəs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A quality of an appeal or argument that evokes emotions, often unconsciously, in order to persuade or influence.

Examples

• The marketing campaign relied heavily on pathos to appeal to the audience’s emotions.
• The charismatic speaker used pathos to connect with the audience and make a compelling argument.

Synonyms

• Emotional appeal
• Appeal to the heart

Etymology

The word “Pathos” originates from the Greek word παθος (pathos), meaning “suffering” or “passion”.

Usage Notes

Pathos is often used in formal and informal contexts to describe the emotional or sentimental aspect of an argument, speech, or appeal.

Cultural References

Pathos has been used in various forms of media and literature, such as in Shakespearean sonnets and in modern marketing campaigns.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Pathos and logos: a combination of emotional appeal and logical argument.
• Appeal to the heart: a phrase used to describe a pathos-driven argument.

Related Words or Phrases

• Logos: the logical or rational aspect of an argument.
• Ethos: the appeal to a speaker’s character or reputation.

Collocations

• Pathos-filled speech
• Emotional appeal
• Sentimental tone

Frequency of Use

Pathos is a commonly used term in modern language, particularly in fields such as marketing, psychology, and literature.

Common Misspellings

• Patheses
• Pathe