neologisme

Neologisme is a term used to describe a newly coined word or expression that enters a language to name new objects, phenomena, or practices, or to assign new senses to existing words. The word neologisme is the French form of the concept and derives from neo- “new” and logos “word,” a lineage shared with the English term neologism.

Neologisms arise through various processes: derivation, compounding, blending, clipping, back-formation, and borrowing from other languages or specialized vocabularies. They may also be calques or loan translations of foreign terms, or result from semantic shift where an existing word takes on a new sense. Most neologisms originate in particular domains—technology, science, youth culture, or subcultures—and spread through media, literature, and everyday speech. Their survival depends on usefulness and broad acceptance; some remain jargon within a field, while others become part of standard language.

Linguists study neologisms to track linguistic change, and lexicographers document them as they gain widespread use. Dictionaries typically add new entries based on evidence from usage across corpora and communities; many neologisms fade quickly, while a subset becomes established and productive over time.

Examples of well-known neologisms include selfie, hashtag, blog, crowdfunding, and cloud computing. These terms reflect evolving technologies and social practices and illustrate how vocabulary adapts to new realities while shaping communication.