''neologism'' ▫ᴱᴺ Entries

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''neologism'' ▫ᴱᴺ｜Definition｜1st｜20260904120411-00-⌔

neologism - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

Noun

neologism (countable and uncountable, plural neologisms)

• (linguistics, lexicography, countable) A word or phrase which has recently been coined; a new word or phrase.
  • ✤ Synonyms: coinage, neoterism
  • ✤ These neologisms demonstrate the cumulative quality of language, in which we use the known to describe the unknown.¹
• (linguistics, lexicography, countable, by extension) An existing word or phrase which has gained a new meaning.
• (linguistics, uncountable) The act or instance of coining, or uttering a new word.
  • ✤ Neologizing, the practice of coining new words, may seem to be an arcane, specialized activity, but it’s everywhere — and the skillful employment of neologism is what gives English much of its verve.²
• (psychiatry) The newly coined, meaningless words or phrases of someone with a psychosis, usually schizophrenia.
• (theology, historical) Synonym of neology.

Etymology

From French néologisme, from Ancient Greek νέος (néos, “new”) + λόγος (lógos, “word”) +‎ -ism.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /niːˈɒləd͡ʒɪzəm/
  • Audio (Southern England): 🔊
• (General American) IPA: /niˈɑləˌd͡ʒɪzəm/

Printed 2026-09-04.

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Footnotes

1. 2015 July 15, Roc Morin, “How to Say Everything in a Hundred-Word Language”, in The Atlantic ‎${}^{[1]}$, archived from the original on 3 February 2017: ↩

2. 2002 August 25, Erin McKean, “THE WAY WE LIVE NOW: 8-25-02: ON LANGUAGE; Neologist”, in The New York Times ‎${}^{[2]}$, archived from the original on 23 March 2021: ↩

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