neologism

American  

[nee-ol-uh-jiz-uhm] / niˈɒl əˌdʒɪz əm /

noun

1. a new word, meaning, usage, or phrase.

2. the introduction or use of new words or new senses of existing words.

3. a new doctrine, especially a new interpretation of sacred writings.

4. Psychiatry. a new word, often consisting of a combination of other words, that is understood only by the speaker: occurring most often in the speech of schizophrenics.

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neologism British  

/ nɪˈɒləˌdʒɪzəm /

noun

1. a newly coined word, or a phrase or familiar word used in a new sense

2. the practice of using or introducing neologisms

3. rare a tendency towards adopting new views, esp rationalist views, in matters of religion

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Other Word Forms

• neologist
  noun
• neologistic
  adjective
• neologistical
  adjective
• neologistically
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of neologism

From the French word néologisme, dating back to 1790–1800. See neology, -ism

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Explanation

A neologism is a made-up or new word. Neologisms can be fun-ti-ful, but the problem is making sure others understand what you mean. The word neologism was once a neologism itself. It was created by gluing the prefix neo-, "new," onto the Greek root logos or "word." People coin neologisms all the time, linguists track which ones stick, and eventually, we all feel they're old friends. Or maybe not: random samples from words coined in 2003 include: adultolescence, pastability, pre-zactly, and neomaxizoomdweebie.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

neologism

Some of Blazy's designs have proved so popular they have sparked a neologism -- "Blazymania" -- which has come to mean the frenzied buying in stores off items that often cost thousands of dollars.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

They’re believers in rancho libertarianism, my neologism for the individualistic politics exemplified by the Mexican men who raised me and who I grew up with.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

It is called Tanbreez, a neologism that refers to tantalum, niobium, rare-earth elements and zirconium.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Pretty much every internet user has seen this occur in some form, which is why Doctorow’s neologism took off so widely.

From Slate ● Oct. 13, 2025

My father says he is a nauseating commercial neologism.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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