neologism
noun
\
Definition of neologism
1 : a new word, usage, or expression technological neologisms
2 psychology : a new word that is coined especially by a person affected with schizophrenia and is meaningless except to the coiner, and is typically a combination of two existing words or a shortening or distortion of an existing word
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from neologism
\
adjective
Examples of neologism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Allusions, dramatic asides, neologisms and flamboyant punctuation became the hallmarks of his style. — Thomas Curwen, sacbee, "Tom Wolfe, novelist and pioneer of New Journalism, dies at 88 | The Sacramento Bee," 15 May 2018 To Walker's amusement, his book sometimes appeared in the art instruction section of bookstores, and his neologisms would pop up in discussions about the art of cartooning. — Ali Bahrampour, chicagotribune.com, "Mort Walker, whose 'Beetle Bailey' was a comic-page staple for decades, dies at 94," 27 Jan. 2018 Coining neologisms was and still is one of Coupland’s things. — Laura Miller, Slate Magazine, "It’s hard to be the voice of a generation when your generation doesn’t need you anymore.," 15 May 2017 The millennial neologism for an age-old conundrum, ‘‘ — Maya Binyam, New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: Ghosting," 3 Aug. 2017 Fake news — a neologism to describe stories that are just not true, like Pizzagate, and a term now co-opted to characterize unfavorable news — has given new urgency to the teaching of media literacy. — Interview By Sydney Ember, New York Times, "This Is Not Fake News (but Don’t Go by the Headline)," 3 Apr. 2017 Unaware of any word that could describe her situation, Webster saw an opportunity for neologism. — Michelle Nijhuis, The New Yorker, "What Do You Call the Last of a Species?," 2 Mar. 2017 Instead, these books feature a new kind of mutant—wonky business writers endowed with bulging brainpans and killer neologisms. — Jennifer Alsever, WIRED, "The Rise of the Corporate Superhero," 29 Mar. 2011These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neologism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for neologism
neologism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of neologism
: a new word or expression or a new meaning of a word
See the full definition for neologism in the English Language Learners Dictionary
neologism
noun
\
Medical Definition of neologism
: a new word that is coined especially by a person affected with schizophrenia, is meaningless except to the coiner, and is typically a combination of two existing words or a shortening or distortion of an existing word
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on neologism
What made you want to look up neologism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
-
- Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share neologism
Resources for neologism