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

Linklater’s ode to the French new wave was nominated in 10 categories, including for best director, film, original screenplay and cinematography. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026

The most interesting founders in this new wave aren’t always career technologists. —Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

And this year, with a new wave of stylish hotel openings, there’s never been a better time to visit. —Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026

Say is part of a new wave of yacht builders making carbon fiber the main attraction in their builds. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 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