newfangled
Americanadjective
-
of a new kind or fashion.
newfangled ideas.
-
fond of or given to novelty.
adjective
-
newly come into existence or fashion, esp excessively modern
-
rare excessively fond of new ideas, fashions, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of newfangled
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, equivalent to newefangel “fond of or taken by what is new ”( newe new + -fangel, unattested Old English fangol “inclined to take,” equivalent to fang-, stem of fōn “to take” ( cf. fang 2) + -ol adjective suffix) + -ed 3
Explanation
Something newfangled is new, like a fancy new gadget or invention. This is a folksy way of describing a fashionable (and often too fashionable) thing. If someone says — “What is that newfangled thing?” — they’re using a humorous, casual word for things that are new, current, or fashionable — especially too-fashionable things. Using this word implies that the person isn’t very impressed with the newfangled thing, implying that it’s new for the sake of being new. This word is a little insulting, as in “Why do you always have to have a newfangled phone?” Calling something newfangled isn’t very respectful to the new thing.
Vocabulary lists containing newfangled
As You Like It
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myPerspectives 8.5
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Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far away called the 1990s, young people scraped by with tiny salaries and tried to save for retirement in a newfangled self-directed system.
From MarketWatch ● May 14, 2026
Vic joined the Air Force, and Dallin suspended his doubts about newfangled airplane technology long enough to attend Vic’s graduation from the academy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
Arm’s ambitious revenue targets, partly driven by its newfangled chip business, also underpin the stock upgrade.
From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026
The company also developed newfangled investment methods, Boyer says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
The party would feature presentations on the latest scientific developments, including a newfangled invention called the cinematograph.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
