neologism

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

noun

a new word, meaning, usage, or phrase.
the introduction or use of new words or new senses of existing words.
a new doctrine, especially a new interpretation of sacred writings.
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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Origin of neologism

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

OTHER WORDS FROM neologism

ne·ol·o·gist, nounne·ol·o·gis·tic, ne·ol·o·gis·ti·cal, adjective

Words nearby neologism

neoliberalism, neolinguistics, neolith, neolithic, neolocal, neologism, neologize, neology, neolyte, neomembrane, neomercantilism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for neologist

British Dictionary definitions for neologist

neologism

neology

/ (nɪˈɒləˌdʒɪzəm) /

noun plural -gisms or -gies

a newly coined word, or a phrase or familiar word used in a new sense
the practice of using or introducing neologisms
rare a tendency towards adopting new views, esp rationalist views, in matters of religion

Derived forms of neologism

neologist, nounneologistic, neologistical or neological (ˌnɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectiveneologistically or neologically, adverb

Word Origin for neologism

C18: via French from neo- + -logism, from Greek logos word, saying
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for neologist

neologism
[ nē-ŏl′ə-jĭz′əm ]

n.

A meaningless word used by a psychotic.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.