23.06.2025
What Is Neologism? Definition, Meaning, and Example
Explore new words, usages, and expressions. Understand the concept, plus see examples of this linguistic creation. Neologism: Definition and meaning.
The word neologism is a Greek combination where “neo” means “new” and “logos” means “word.” Neologism is used for words or phrases created in response to changes in our culture, society, or technology. Neologisms are essential for making language richer and showing how things are now in a world where language is constantly changing. They can be completely new words, changes to existing words, or new phrases that describe new ideas or events. New words like "selfie" and "binge-watch" commonly come from popular culture, technology, and social media. This shows how language changes to keep up with how people live.
Learning about neologisms increases our language skills and uncovers how a community shares and reacts to creative and challenging events. This article from a Canadian certified translator will explore what neologism means, how it is used in language, and how it affects our communication.
Learning about neologisms increases our language skills and uncovers how a community shares and reacts to creative and challenging events. This article from a Canadian certified translator will explore what neologism means, how it is used in language, and how it affects our communication.
What Exactly Is the Meaning of Neologism?
Formal Definitions
A neologism is a new word, phrase, or way of using a word that didn’t exist before. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a new word, usage, or expression.” Britannica defines it as “a new word or a new meaning for an old word.” It’s something fresh added to the language.
Neologisms can appear in everyday conversations, online trends, books, or even by accident. Some catch on and become part of our vocabulary—like “blog” or “emoji”—while others fade away. But every neologism starts the same way: someone uses a word that’s never been used quite like that before.
Neologisms can appear in everyday conversations, online trends, books, or even by accident. Some catch on and become part of our vocabulary—like “blog” or “emoji”—while others fade away. But every neologism starts the same way: someone uses a word that’s never been used quite like that before.
Etymology & History
The word neologism comes from two Greek words: neo, which means “new,” and logos, which means “word.” So when you put them together, neologism means “new word.”
The first time this word appeared in English was way back in 1772. People have been making up new words for centuries, but that’s when neologism was first recorded. Since then, it’s been used to describe all kinds of fresh, creative words people come up with.
The first time this word appeared in English was way back in 1772. People have been making up new words for centuries, but that’s when neologism was first recorded. Since then, it’s been used to describe all kinds of fresh, creative words people come up with.
What are Some Examples of Neologisms?
Literature & Fiction
Cyberspace: William Gibson first used “cyberspace” in a 1982 short story to describe a virtual world inside computers. He made the word famous in his 1984 novel Neuromancer. Today, it means the digital space where online activities happen—like browsing, chatting, and gaming.
Big Brother: George Orwell created “Big Brother” in his novel 1984 to describe a government that watches and controls everything people do. Now, the term is used to discuss any system—like cameras or phone tracking—that invades people’s privacy.
Bedazzled: Shakespeare used “bedazzled” in The Taming of the Shrew to describe being amazed by something bright or beautiful. Today, it also means decorating something with shiny things like glitter or jewels.
Big Brother: George Orwell created “Big Brother” in his novel 1984 to describe a government that watches and controls everything people do. Now, the term is used to discuss any system—like cameras or phone tracking—that invades people’s privacy.
Bedazzled: Shakespeare used “bedazzled” in The Taming of the Shrew to describe being amazed by something bright or beautiful. Today, it also means decorating something with shiny things like glitter or jewels.
Popular Culture & Social Media
Digital detox: A break from phones, tablets, and computers—either cutting back on screen time or avoiding devices entirely—to recharge mentally and reduce stress from constant digital use.
Crowdsourcing: Gathering ideas, help, or content from a large group of people—usually online—rather than relying on just a few experts. Often used in projects, fundraising, or problem-solving.
FOMO: Short for “fear of missing out.” It’s that anxious feeling that others are enjoying something without you, often triggered by social media posts.
Hangry: A mix of hungry and angry. It describes the irritability or frustration when you haven't eaten and your blood sugar drops.
Selfie: A self-portrait photo taken with a phone, usually held at arm’s length or in a mirror, often shared on social media.
Meme: A funny or relatable image, video, or phrase that spreads quickly online, often with minor changes or captions added by others.
Cancel culture: When someone is publicly shunned, boycotted, or loses support—often online—because of something they've said or done that offended others.
Troll: A person deliberately posts upsetting or off-topic comments online to stir up drama or provoke people.
Doomscrolling: Endlessly scrolling through negative news or upsetting content, especially online, even though it worsens your mood or anxiety.
Woke: Originally meant being socially aware, especially about injustice or inequality, but is now often used sarcastically to criticize anything overly progressive.
App: Short for “application,” it’s a piece of software designed to perform specific tasks, typically on phones, tablets, or computers.
Bromance: A deep, affectionate, but platonic friendship between two men—more emotionally open than traditional male friendships.
Frenemy: Someone who pretends to be a friend but secretly competes with you or harbours resentment: part ally, part rival.
Sick: Slang for something extraordinary, excellent, or impressive—the opposite of its usual meaning.
Staycation: A vacation spent at home or nearby, where you relax without the cost or hassle of travelling.
Emoji: A concise digital image or symbol that signifies an object, emotion, idea, etc., utilized in online interactions.
Crowdsourcing: Gathering ideas, help, or content from a large group of people—usually online—rather than relying on just a few experts. Often used in projects, fundraising, or problem-solving.
FOMO: Short for “fear of missing out.” It’s that anxious feeling that others are enjoying something without you, often triggered by social media posts.
Hangry: A mix of hungry and angry. It describes the irritability or frustration when you haven't eaten and your blood sugar drops.
Selfie: A self-portrait photo taken with a phone, usually held at arm’s length or in a mirror, often shared on social media.
Meme: A funny or relatable image, video, or phrase that spreads quickly online, often with minor changes or captions added by others.
Cancel culture: When someone is publicly shunned, boycotted, or loses support—often online—because of something they've said or done that offended others.
Troll: A person deliberately posts upsetting or off-topic comments online to stir up drama or provoke people.
Doomscrolling: Endlessly scrolling through negative news or upsetting content, especially online, even though it worsens your mood or anxiety.
Woke: Originally meant being socially aware, especially about injustice or inequality, but is now often used sarcastically to criticize anything overly progressive.
App: Short for “application,” it’s a piece of software designed to perform specific tasks, typically on phones, tablets, or computers.
Bromance: A deep, affectionate, but platonic friendship between two men—more emotionally open than traditional male friendships.
Frenemy: Someone who pretends to be a friend but secretly competes with you or harbours resentment: part ally, part rival.
Sick: Slang for something extraordinary, excellent, or impressive—the opposite of its usual meaning.
Staycation: A vacation spent at home or nearby, where you relax without the cost or hassle of travelling.
Emoji: A concise digital image or symbol that signifies an object, emotion, idea, etc., utilized in online interactions.
How is a Neologism Used in Grammar?
Neologism as a noun
The word "neologism" is a noun, which means it's the name of something. In this case, it's the name for a new word, phrase, or expression. You can use it in a sentence like, "That word is a neologism used to describe a new trend." It helps people talk about the idea of a new or recently invented word.
Word formation and neologism
Neologisms can be made in different ways. Some are blended, like "brunch" (from breakfast + lunch). Others are shortened, like "app" from "application." Some are even borrowed from other languages or completely made up, like the word "meme." These methods show how flexible and creative language can be.
Usage of neologism in everyday language
Neologisms are used all the time, especially in conversations, online, and in music or pop culture. People create them to talk about new ideas, inventions, or trends. For example, when smartphones became popular, words like "selfie" and "emoji" were created to describe new actions and images. If a neologism becomes widely used, it can even be in the dictionary.
What Are the Different Types of Neologisms?
Blends / Portmanteaus
Neologisms are often created by blending two words together in a process called a portmanteau, where parts of each word are combined to form a new one that carries elements of both meanings. For instance, “brunch” merges “breakfast” and “lunch” to describe a late-morning meal, while “smog” fuses “smoke” and “fog” to refer to the thick, polluted air commonly found in cities. These blended words are easy to remember and offer a fun, simple way to describe new or familiar concepts.
Acronyms & Initialisms
Another way neologisms are formed is through acronyms, which are created by using the first letters of a group of words to make long names or phrases shorter and easier to say. For example, “scuba” stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, a complex phrase simplified by a single, easy-to-use word. Similarly, “NASA” is an acronym for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. These shortened forms help save time and make communication more efficient.
Clipping & Back‑formation
Neologisms can also be created by shortening longer words through a process called clipping, where only part of a word is used to make it faster and easier to say—for example, “math” is a clipped form of “mathematics.” A related process is back-formation, which involves creating a new word by removing what appears to be a suffix from an existing word; for instance, “edit” is a back-formation derived from editor. These methods often produce shorter, more popular forms that become common in everyday speech due to their simplicity and convenience.
Derivation (Affix Use)
Another way neologisms are created is through derivation, which involves adding small word parts like prefixes or suffixes to change a word or form a new one. For example, “blogger” is formed by adding the suffix “-er” to “blog” to indicate a person who blogs, while “unfriend” uses the prefix “un-” to create the opposite of “friend,” turning it into a verb meaning to remove someone from your online friend list. These additions help create words that are easy to understand and use.
Borrowings & Loanwords
Some neologisms come from other languages and are known as borrowed words or loanwords. These words often enter English because there wasn’t an exact term for the idea they represent. For example, “tsunami” is a Japanese word describing a large ocean wave caused by an earthquake, “algebra” comes from Arabic, and “ballet” is borrowed from French. These words were adopted to name concepts or things that previously lacked English equivalents and, over time, became natural parts of the language.
Semantic Shift & Calques
Sometimes, neologisms are created by giving old words new meanings, either by using a word in a fresh way or by translating a phrase from another language while retaining its original idea. For example, the word “mouse” originally referred only to a small animal but now also describes a computer device, demonstrating a semantic shift through metaphorical extension. A calque occurs when a phrase is translated word-for-word from another language; for instance, “flea market” is a calque of the French phrase marché aux puces. These changes help language evolve and remain relevant as the world changes.
How Does Neologism Relate to Existing Words?
New meanings for existing words
Sometimes, a neologism is not a brand-new word but a new meaning applied to a word we already know. For example, “tablet” originally referred to a small, flat object—like a stone slab used for inscriptions or a medicinal pill. Today, it’s also commonly used to mean a touchscreen computer, like an iPad. These shifts happen as new ideas or inventions appear, and we borrow familiar words to describe unfamiliar concepts.
Neologism vs. Traditional Vocabulary
Neologisms are different from traditional vocabulary. Traditional words—such as “tree,” “friend,” or “school”—have been used for centuries. In contrast, neologisms are newly coined terms that may not yet appear in all dictionaries. Traditional words help us describe everyday experiences, while neologisms fill gaps by naming new ideas, inventions, or cultural trends. Both are essential: traditional words maintain clarity and continuity, and neologisms keep language aligned with a changing world.
How neologism affects language evolution
Neologisms have a profound impact on how languages evolve. People often require new words to talk about things when they make tools, build technology, or see new things. These new words become part of the lexicon when they become more popular and used by more people. This dynamic keeps language adaptable, expressive, and relevant to contemporary life, reflecting social and technological change.
What are Some Resources for Understanding Neologism?
Using Merriam-Webster for neologism
The Merriam‑Webster Dictionary is a trusted source for understanding words. If you look up “neologism” there, you’ll find a precise definition, example sentences, and often etymological history, including the term’s first known use. For instance, the dictionary Merriam‑Webster defines a new word as “a word, usage, or expression that has just been introduced” and adds historical information about its origins in French and Greek, together with examples of its usage through time. Thus, users can see how words should be applied and understood in sentences.
Exploring neologism on Wikipedia
Wikipedia offers a deeper dive into the concept of neologism. It covers:
Its structured treatment and sourced content make it a valuable and accessible overview.
- The definition of neologism.
- Word‑formation processes (e.g., blending, derivation).
- The lifecycle and categorization of new words into nonce words, protologisms, and neologisms.
- Factors influencing how neologisms spread and gain acceptance.
Its structured treatment and sourced content make it a valuable and accessible overview.
Cambridge Dictionary insights on neologism
The Cambridge Dictionary also gives a straightforward, easy-to-understand definition: "a new word or phrase, or a new meaning for a word that already exists." It usually has example sentences with labels and uses notes that point out differences between British and American English. This makes it especially useful for anyone who wants to study or who wants to know more about how the word is used in different kinds of English.
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