Here's a breakdown of the definition:
* Newly coined: This means the word or expression is recently invented or has not been in common use before.
* Word or expression: This encompasses both single words and phrases that are newly created.
* Not in common use: While some neologisms eventually become part of the mainstream language, initially, they are not widely used.
Examples of neologisms:
* "Blog" - short for "weblog"
* "Tweet" - a message posted on Twitter
* "Unfriend" - to remove someone from your social media network
* "Frenemy" - a person who pretends to be a friend but is secretly an enemy
* "Gaslighting" - a form of manipulation where someone makes you doubt your own sanity
Reasons for neologisms:
* Technological advancements: New technology often leads to the invention of new words to describe it.
* Social change: New social trends or movements may bring about new ways of speaking.
* Creative expression: Writers and artists may coin new words for artistic or stylistic reasons.
While neologisms are often associated with informal language or slang, they can also be coined by experts in specific fields, such as scientific terminology.