neologism

[ nee-ol-uh-jiz-uh m ]
/ niˈɒl əˌdʒɪz əm /

noun

a new word, meaning, usage, or phrase.
the introduction or use of new words or new senses of existing words.
a new doctrine, especially a new interpretation of sacred writings.
Psychiatry. a new word, often consisting of a combination of other words, that is understood only by the speaker: occurring most often in the speech of schizophrenics.

Origin of neologism

From the French word néologisme, dating back to 1790–1800. See neology, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM neologism

ne·ol·o·gist, noun ne·ol·o·gis·tic, ne·ol·o·gis·ti·cal, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for neologism

British Dictionary definitions for neologism

neologism

neology

/ (nɪˈɒləˌdʒɪzəm) /

noun plural -gisms or -gies

a newly coined word, or a phrase or familiar word used in a new sense
the practice of using or introducing neologisms
rare a tendency towards adopting new views, esp rationalist views, in matters of religion

Derived forms of neologism

neologist, noun neologistic, neologistical or neological (ˌnɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective neologistically or neologically, adverb

Word Origin for neologism

C18: via French from neo- + -logism, from Greek logos word, saying

Medical definitions for neologism

neologism
[ nē-ŏlə-jĭz′əm ]

n.

A meaningless word used by a psychotic.