neologism

IPA/niˈɒlədʒɪzəm/
IPA/niˈɑːlədʒɪzəm/

neologism — noun

  • neologismsingular
  • neologismsplural

1. a word or phrase that has recently been invented to describe a new idea, technol

1.nounC1
Definition

a word or phrase that has recently been invented to describe a new idea, technology, or social trend, or an existing word that has developed a fresh meaning for a similar purpose

Example

The word 'selfie' began as an informal neologism in online forums before entering standard English.

neologism naming a new social trend

When people start ignoring calls, a neologism such as 'ghosting' often arises to describe the behaviour.

pattern: neologism such as + [example]

Common collocations
  • coin a neologism
  • recent neologism
  • popular neologism
  • linguistic neologism
  • obscure neologism
  • neologism enters the dictionary
Synonyms
  • coinage

    Similar meaning but also refers to the process of inventing words, not just the result; slightly more formal.

  • new word

    Everyday English equivalent; less technical and more accessible to general readers.

  • made-up word

    Informal and sometimes dismissive; suggests deliberate invention rather than natural emergence.

  • portmanteau

    A specific type of neologism created by blending two words (e.g. 'brunch' from 'breakfast' + 'lunch').

Antonyms
  • archaism

    An old word or expression that has fallen out of common use, the opposite of a newly created word.

  • obsolete word

    A word no longer in active use; contrasts with a neologism that is entering the language.

Grammar Patterns

neologism + for + [concept/behaviour]

neologism + such as + [example]

coin + a + neologism

Usage Note

Frequently appears in discussions of language change, technology, and popular culture rather than in everyday conversation. The term is a countable noun; one may speak of 'a neologism' or 'neologisms' in general. The verb 'neologize' exists but is rare — most English speakers say 'coin a new word' instead.

Common Mistakes

I learned a new neologism today.
I learned a new word today.
'Neologism' already includes the idea of newness, so adding 'new' is redundant.
This neologism word appears in the dictionary.
This neologism appears in the dictionary.
'Neologism' already means a word or phrase; adding 'word' is unnecessary.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four terms refer to words that did not previously exist in a language, but they differ in scope and register. 'Neologism' is the broadest and most neutral term, covering newly created words, borrowed terms, and existing words that take on new meanings. 'Coinage' is slightly more formal and often implies a deliberate act of invention, sometimes with a known inventor. 'New word' is the everyday equivalent — less technical and more conversational. 'Made-up word' carries an informal, sometimes dismissive tone, suggesting the word was invented on the spot or lacks legitimacy. 'Portmanteau' is a narrower category of neologism formed by blending two existing words, like 'brunch' (breakfast + lunch) or 'spork' (spoon + fork). If you are writing an academic essay on language change, use 'neologism' or 'coinage'; if you are chatting with friends about slang, 'new word' or 'made-up word' sounds more natural.

coinage ↗new wordmade-up wordportmanteau

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • coin a neologism
  • give rise to a neologism
  • a neologism enters the language

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

Borrowed from French 'néologisme', which was formed from the Greek roots 'néos' (νέος) meaning 'new' and 'lógos' (λόγος) meaning 'word, speech', plus the suffix '-ism'. The word entered English in the late 18th century, around 1772, and was first used to describe new religious terms before broadening to cover any newly coined word or expression.