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

Nvidia is trying to ensure its chips are embedded with every new wave of AI-powered innovation. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, a new wave of protests in Iran is once again challenging the country’s theocracy. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026

Making Your Own Marmalade Beyond buying an old-school British marmalade or a new wave small-batch version, why not try making your own? —Amy Sherman, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026

Her presence represents a new wave of young talent unafraid to blend acting, style, and personal authenticity. —Essence, 8 Jan. 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