What do we call words or phrases created to describe new things or to give a new name to an old idea?

Prepare for Delta Module 1 Exam with questions designed to test your knowledge. Use flashcards, multiple choice questions with hints, and explanations to get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

What do we call words or phrases created to describe new things or to give a new name to an old idea?

Creating new words or phrases to describe new things or give a new name to old ideas is called neologisms. These coined terms appear to capture modern concepts, technologies, or shifts in thinking, and they can form through blending, compounding, or semantic change. For example, "selfie" and "blog" are neologisms that were created to name contemporary phenomena. In contrast, loanwords are borrowed from other languages, idioms are fixed expressions with meanings not deducible from the individual words, and cognates are words in different languages that share a common ancestor.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy