neologism Definition
- 1a newly coined word or expression
- 2a new usage of a word
Using neologism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "neologism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The internet has given rise to many neologisms such as 'selfie' and 'emoji'.
Example
The word 'staycation' is a neologism that combines 'stay' and 'vacation'.
Example
The use of 'they' as a singular pronoun is a neologism that has gained popularity in recent years.
neologism Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for neologism
- coinage
- new word
- new phrase
- new term
Phrases with neologism
a newly coined word or expression that has gained widespread attention and usage in a particular year
Example
The neologism of the year for 2020 was 'doomscrolling'.
the process by which new words or expressions become so commonly used that they lose their novelty and need to be replaced by newer ones
Example
The neologism treadmill is a challenge for lexicographers who must constantly update dictionaries to keep up with new words.
the contrast between newly coined words or expressions and old-fashioned or outdated ones
Example
The debate over neologism vs archaism is ongoing in language circles.
Origins of neologism
from Greek 'neos' meaning 'new' and 'logos' meaning 'word'
Summary: neologism in Brief
A 'neologism' [niːˈɒlədʒɪz(ə)m] is a newly coined word or expression, or a new usage of an existing word. It can be seen in popular culture, such as 'selfie' and 'emoji,' or in language evolution, such as the use of 'they' as a singular pronoun. The 'neologism treadmill' describes the process by which new words become common and lose their novelty. The term 'neologism' contrasts with 'archaism,' referring to old-fashioned or outdated words.
