new wave

noun

often capitalized N&W

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

The Alaïa fall 2025 collection set the tone, inspiring a new wave of fluid, goddess-like silhouettes. —Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025

While terry cloth and flatweaves tend to be the most common materials, a new wave of stone and wood mats is reinventing the usually soft surface. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 Sep. 2025

But Palestinian Civil Society’s global call for Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) in 2005 inspired new waves of activism. —Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025

But all were gleefully lapped up by tried-and-true slasher fans and a new wave of bloodthirsty teenage audiences. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025

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