new wave

noun

variants often New Wave

1

: a cinematic movement that is characterized by improvisation, abstraction, and subjective symbolism and that often makes use of experimental photographic techniques

2

: a new movement in a particular field

3

: popular music less raw than punk rock and typically including unconventional melodies, exaggerated beats, and quirky lyrics

4

: dernier cri

especially : fashion that is strikingly outrageous

new-wave

ˈnü-ˈwāv 

ˈnyü-, 

-ˌwāv

adjective

new waver

ˈnü-ˈwā-vər 

ˈnyü-

noun

Examples of new wave in a Sentence

people who listened to punk, New Wave, or disco

Recent Examples on the Web

Megadonor money shifts right Republican money is coming from Wall Street financiers and industrial titans alongside a new wave of cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and online gambling executives. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Billboard and Telemundo have unveiled a new wave of performers for the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards. — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026

The abundance of peep toes and funky shapes on the runway can be partly credited to a new wave of challenger brands, raising the bar for fresh, off-kilter footwear. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

This new wave of investment and jobs will determine America’s leadership, and Indiana’s role in it. — Jeff Danielson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for new wave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave