Meaning & use
coin term
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
To invent a new word or phrase that people then begin to use.
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase with an object: coin a term. The object usually comes after 'coin'.
Patterns
- coin a term
- coin the term
- coin a phrase
The author coined the term 'digital native' to describe people who grew up with the internet.
Who first coined the term 'global warming'?
She coined a term for the feeling of being tired but unable to sleep.
phrasecountable
A word or phrase that someone has invented, especially one that becomes popular.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: a coined term. Often appears with 'new' or 'recently coined'.
Patterns
- a coined term
- a newly coined term
'Staycation' is a coined term that combines 'stay' and 'vacation'.
The article explains several recently coined terms in technology.
Common combinations
- coin a term
- The linguist coined a term for this grammatical pattern.
- coin a phrase
- He coined a phrase that is now used everywhere.
- widely used term
- 'Cloud computing' is a widely used term today.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- coinage noun
- A newly invented word or phrase, or the act of inventing one.
Commonly confused: coin term or coin?
coin term vs coin
As a noun, 'coin' means a piece of money. As a verb in this phrase, it means to invent a word.
Practice
The scientist ______ the term 'black hole' in the 1960s.
Choose one answer.
'Coined' is the correct verb for inventing a new word or phrase. 'Invented' is possible but less precise; 'discovered' and 'found' suggest the term already existed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “coin term”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.