neologism
noun
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
Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for neologism 
Dictionary Entries Near neologism
Cite this Entry
“Neologism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neologism. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
neologism
noun
Share