New Criticism

noun

: an analytic literary criticism that is marked by concentration on the language, imagery, and emotional or intellectual tensions in literary works
New Critic noun
New Critical adjective

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of New Criticism was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near New Criticism

new covenant

New Criticism

New Croton Dam

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“New Criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/New%20Criticism. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of eighty-six

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games