neologism

noun

ne·​ol·​o·​gism nē-ˈä-lə-ˌji-zəm 

1

: a new word, usage, or expression

technological neologisms

2

psychology : a new word that is coined especially by a person affected with schizophrenia and is meaningless except to the coiner, and is typically a combination of two existing words or a shortening or distortion of an existing word

neologistic

nē-ˌä-lə-ˈji-stik 

adjective

Did you know?

The English language is constantly picking up neologisms. In recent decades, for example, computer technology has added a number of new terms to the language. Webinar, malware, netroots, and blogosphere are just a few examples of modern-day neologisms that have been integrated into American English. The word neologism was itself a brand-new coinage in the latter half of the 18th century, when English speakers borrowed the French term néologisme. The word's roots are quite old, ultimately tracing back to ancient Greek neos, meaning "new," and logos, meaning "word."

Examples of neologism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a host, Scherzinger could play the eager theater kid to the likes of the intimidating Simon Cowell, throwing out neologisms like schamazing. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2024

Osmond and Huxley had discussed possible neologisms to describe the impact such drugs had on the body and mind. —Paul Lindholdt, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2024

Buzzwords and neologisms have increasingly defined travel trends in recent years, and 2025 looks to be no different. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

For those who seek to reform U.S. foreign policy, the best path may be to send Rhodes’s neologism into retirement. —Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French néologisme "the habit of forming new words, a newly formed word," from néologie "coining of new words" (from néo- neo- + -logie -logy) + -isme -ism

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

neologism

noun

ne·​ol·​o·​gism nē-ˈäl-ə-ˌjiz-əm 

: a new word or expression

neologistic

-ˌäl-ə-ˈjis-tik 

adjective

Medical Definition

neologism

noun

ne·​ol·​o·​gism nē-ˈäl-ə-ˌjiz-əm 

: a new word that is coined especially by a person affected with schizophrenia, is meaningless except to the coiner, and is typically a combination of two existing words or a shortening or distortion of an existing word