loanword

noun

Definition of loanwordnext
as in neologism

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loanword Which brings us to the ménage à trois — for some things, only a French loanword will do — between Hayley, Yasmin, and Henry, which exists at the opposite end of the boundary-setting spectrum. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2026 For instance, people, a French loanword, may be spelled peple, pepill, poeple, or poepul. — Big Think, 10 Apr. 2025 The newest dictionary additions include loanwords from Southeast Asia, South Africa and Ireland. — Peter Guo, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025 In fact, Mandarin itself used thousands of loanwords from Japanese and English when new disciplines such as sociology and natural science entered China’s curricula a mere century ago. — Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 28 Nov. 2023 During this period, more than 10,000 loanwords from French entered the English language, mostly in domains where the aristocracy held sway: the arts, military, medicine, law and religion. — Phillip M. Carter, Fortune Well, 12 June 2023 Most English loanwords borrow from languages that, like English, use the Latin alphabet. — Sarah Bunin Benor, The Conversation, 21 May 2020 With the mega-success of Starbucks and its various coffee competitors, BARISTA has transformed from a somewhat niche Italian loanword to a term most everyone not only knows but uses regularly. — Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loanword
  1. neologism
  2. coinage
  3. colloquialism
  4. euphemism
  5. term
  6. modernism
Noun
  • Are these neologisms diagnosing modern phenomena or illuminating preëxisting cultural realities?
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2025
  • These neologisms weren’t just clever.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025
Definition of neologism
Noun
  • Lydians are widely recognized as the inventors of coinage, helping to make their capital, Sardis, synonymous with fabulous wealth in the ancient Mediterranean.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
  • The author, a professor named Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, proved to have a knack not just for provocative legal essays but for coinages, too.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Definition of coinage
Noun
  • Her vetting crusades have brought about a new Washington colloquialism.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The show chugged along nonetheless, gradually attracting fans who adored its stark cinematography and weirdo colloquialisms.
    — Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of colloquialism
Noun
  • The Execution Crisis Defined Rasmus Holst, CEO of Zensai, describes it without euphemism.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
  • Willmett and Harris are clearly uninterested in euphemisms, so there’s an exaggerated naivety to their lyrics.
    — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
Definition of euphemism
Noun
  • Both parties have accused each other of violating the terms – which envision the eventual withdrawal of Israeli soldiers, the full disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international force and a new Palestinian governing body.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Personal terms had not been expected to be an issue for Manchester United, but Tottenham’s salary offer was also viewed as beyond what the Old Trafford hierarchy were willing to commit to.
    — Mark Critchley, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of term
Noun
  • There are also pieces by Rufino Tamayo, Diego Rivera, and other giants of Mexican modernism.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026
  • On this resolutely French island, the interior showcases Italian classic modernism, with furniture by Molteni and a sculptural Minotti kitchen.
    — Sarah Turner, Robb Report, 25 June 2026
Definition of modernism

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Cite this Entry

“Loanword.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loanword. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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