Definition of nonce word
: a word (as ringday in “four girls I know have become engaged today: this must be ringday”) coined and used apparently to suit one particular occasion sometimes independently by different writers or speakers but not adopted into use generally
Coleridge coined mammonolatry in 1820 as a nonce word I still think I heard it, though so seldom that it had more or less the air of a nonce word— S. T. Byington
Learn More about nonce word
Dictionary Entries near nonce word
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for nonce word
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Nonce word.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonce%20word. Accessed 26 Feb. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Comments on nonce word
What made you want to look up nonce word? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz
-
- Which is a synonym of perdure?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share nonce word