new wave

noun

variants often New Wave

1

: a cinematic movement that is characterized by improvisation, abstraction, and subjective symbolism and that often makes use of experimental photographic techniques

2

: a new movement in a particular field

3

: popular music less raw than punk rock and typically including unconventional melodies, exaggerated beats, and quirky lyrics

4

: dernier cri

especially : fashion that is strikingly outrageous

new-wave

ˈnü-ˈwāv 

ˈnyü-, 

-ˌwāv

adjective

new waver

ˈnü-ˈwā-vər 

ˈnyü-

noun

Examples of new wave in a Sentence

people who listened to punk, New Wave, or disco

Recent Examples on the Web

New technologies are changing the way shows are made, storytelling formats are evolving faster than ever, and a new wave of producers is looking abroad for fresh collaborations. —Faye Bradley, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026

The past decade has ushered in a modern horror renaissance, with a new wave of filmmakers treating the genre as both entertainment and social commentary. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026

Another tanker was recently struck near the key waterway as a new wave of attacks hit United Arab Emirates' energy infrastructure this week. —Sean Conlon,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026

Hollywood and Japanese animation might need to get ready for a new wave of competition from Southeast Asia. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for new wave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave