Neoterms

Neoterms are recently coined words or phrases that have gained use within a speech community and show signs of becoming established in a language. The term is often used by linguists and lexicographers to describe items that are not merely playful or fleeting but have reached a level of frequency, breadth of use, or cultural relevance that warrants attention in studies of vocabulary change. Neoterms can arise quickly in response to technology, social media, political events, or cultural trends, and may later mature into mainstream lexicon or fade away.

Neoterms form through a variety of processes. They can be created by derivation or compounding, as well as by blending or clipping. They may originate as acronyms or initialisms, borrowings from other languages, or through semantic shifts where an existing word takes on a new sense. Brand names or platform names often become neoterms when they generalize beyond their origins (for example, a brand name becoming a common verb or noun). Some neoterms persist for years, while others are short-lived or confined to specific communities.

Domains such as technology, science, entertainment, and internet culture are particularly rich sources of neoterms. Their life cycle varies: some become integral parts of everyday language, while others remain specialized jargon. Lexicographic work tracks neoterms by collecting usage evidence from corpora, media, and citations to determine their staying power. Ultimately, neoterms reflect ongoing changes in society, technology, and communication, illustrating how language adapts to new concepts and practices.