novelty
Americannoun
-
state or quality of being novel, new, or unique; newness.
the novelty of a new job.
-
a novel occurrence, experience, or proceeding.
His sarcastic witticisms had ceased being an entertaining novelty.
-
an article of trade whose value is chiefly decorative, comic, or the like and whose appeal is often transitory.
a store catering to tourists who loaded up with souvenir pennants and other novelties.
adjective
-
Textiles.
-
(of a weave) consisting of a combination of basic weaves.
-
(of a fabric or garment) having a pattern or design produced by a novelty weave.
-
(of yarn) having irregularities within the fibrous structure.
-
-
of or relating to novelties as articles of trade.
novelty goods; novelty items.
-
having or displaying novelties.
novelty shop.
noun
-
-
the quality of being new and fresh and interesting
-
( as modifier )
novelty value
-
-
a new or unusual experience or occurrence
-
(often plural) a small usually cheap new toy, ornament, or trinket
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of novelty
1350–1400; Middle English novelte < Middle French novelete < Late Latin novellitās newness. See novel 2, -ity
Explanation
Novelty is a newness or refreshing quality. Many college freshmen enjoy the novelty of living on their own — until it comes time to do that first load of laundry. You'll often hear people talk about the novelty of a new experience — imagine the excitement and anticipation of cracking open a novel you’ve never read before to help remember the word. But novelty is also a term for a small toy or trinket, usually mass-produced. Novelty shops sell all kinds of funny knickknacks, from personalized flashlight key chains to stuffed singing hamsters.
Vocabulary lists containing novelty
Brand Spankin' New: Words with Neo- and Nov-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
30 GRE Words Beginning with "K" "L""M" and "N" and "O"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
At a time when even the greatest achievements are debased in a culture that gives equal weight to meritricious novelty, is it even worth the trouble?
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
“There is clearly a shift from fitness tracker and fitness novelty to embedded health device,” said Shawn DuBravac, a futurist and former chief economist for the Consumer Technology Association.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
People first embraced Grogu as a novelty, the latest in a line of cute, rascally critters going back to the Ewoks.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
They have more than 180 varieties in their catalogue, but several hundred more in development, because the demand for novelty and development never ceases.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
It was our first car, and cars still were a novelty.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
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.
