Summary
English gains new words all the time — by borrowing, blending, clipping, and outright inventing them. Marcel Danesi explains the main ways words are born and what it takes for a brand-new word to finally become 'official' in a dictionary.
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Ages 7+
TED-Ed lessons move quickly and use rich vocabulary — best for grades 5–6 (some grade 4 with support). No content concerns; preview once for pace.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
New words appear every year — this lesson explains how they're made.
- What are two ways a brand-new word can be created?
- What does it take for a new word to end up in a dictionary?
- Can you think of a new word you've heard that older people might not know?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: borrow, blend, coin, dictionary.
Try it: Invent a new word by blending two words (like 'brunch'). Give its meaning and use it in a sentence.