originality
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being original.
- Synonyms:
- ingenuity, inventiveness, creativeness, cleverness
-
ability to think or express oneself in an independent and individual manner; creative ability.
-
freshness or novelty, as of an idea, method, or performance.
- Synonyms:
- creativeness, cleverness, ingenuity, inventiveness
noun
-
the quality or condition of being original
-
the ability to create or innovate
-
something original
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of originality
From the French word originalité, dating back to 1735–45. See original, -ity
Explanation
Originality is the quality of being new and inventive. A composer who writes a symphony to be played by car horns and cell phones shows great originality. When something is original, it is creative and not derived from something else. It's fresh. Originality refers to the quality of being original and new. Inventors are full of originality: they need to think of brand new ideas and products. A great artist is full of originality, especially when coming up with new and surprising types of art. If something is just like other things, it shows no originality. True originality is a rare thing.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Euphoria” “If buzz and originality mean anything, ‘Pluribus’ will join ‘The Pitt’ as a front-runner.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
"Even if we do the restoration with our great artists and specialists in restoration, where will the originality be?" he said.
From Barron's • May 10, 2026
They blame Hybe and BTS for chasing a lucrative Western market at the expense of originality.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
It is hard to imagine that the year will bring forth a Lincoln book of more originality or consequence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026
Even Vesalius, the first great anatomist of the Renaissance, was not in the business of claiming priority, which is why, for all his originality, there are no parts of the body named after him.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
