neologism
/niːˈɒləd͡ʒɪzəm/
neologism means A word or phrase which has recently been coined; a new word or phrase. It carries an Arena rating of 1474, earned across 5 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, neologism ranks #2,659 of 17,127 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #2,673 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words, #5,356 of 17,138 for Most Incisive Words, #6,756 of 17,163 for Funniest Words.
neologism is pronounced /niːˈɒləd͡ʒɪzəm/.
Why “neologism” is a great word
A newly coined word or expression, or an existing term suddenly infused with fresh significance, tracing its lineage to French néologisme, from Ancient Greek νέος (néos, "new") + λόγος (lógos, "word, speech") + the suffix -ism; first attested in English in 1772. Unlike a paleologism—an obsolete word fallen silent—or an archaism—a deliberate, nostalgic echo—a neologism is the forward thrust of language, the coin pressed fresh from the mint. It is the crisp click of "podcast" fitting the digital ear, the semantic drift of "cloud" from sky to server, or the poignant specificity of "doomscrolling" capturing a contemporary anguish—each a small, brave flag planted on the shifting shore of what it means to be alive now.
Etymology
From French néologisme, from Ancient Greek νέος (néos, “new”) + λόγος (lógos, “word”) + -ism.
noun
- A word or phrase which has recently been coined; a new word or phrase.e.g.“These neologisms demonstrate the cumulative quality of language, in which we use the known to describe the unknown.” — 2015 July 15, Roc Morin, “How to Say Everything in a Hundred-Word Language”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 03 Feb 2017:
- An existing word or phrase which has gained a new meaning.
- The act or instance of coining, or uttering a new word.e.g.“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.” — 2002 August 25, Erin McKean, “THE WAY WE LIVE NOW: 8-25-02: ON LANGUAGE; Neologist”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 23 Mar 2021:
- The newly coined, meaningless words or phrases of someone with a psychosis, usually schizophrenia.
- Synonym of neology.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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