original

[uh-rij-uh-nl]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the origin or beginning of something, or to a thing at its beginning.

   The book still has its original binding.

   Synonyms: primitive, primeval, primordial, primary

2. new; fresh; inventive; novel.

   an original way of advertising.

3. arising or proceeding independently of anything else.

   an original view of history.

4. capable of or given to thinking or acting in an independent, creative, or individual manner.

   an original thinker.

5. created, undertaken, or presented for the first time.

   to give the original performance of a string quartet.

6. being something from which a copy, a translation, or the like is made.

   The original document is in Washington.

noun

1. a primary form or type from which varieties are derived.

   Synonyms: model, prototype, pattern, archetype
   Antonyms: copy

2. an original work, writing, or the like, as opposed to any copy or imitation.

   The original of this is in the British Museum.

3. the person or thing represented by a picture, description, etc..

   The original is said to have been the painter's own house.

4. a person whose ways of thinking or acting are original.

   In a field of brilliant technicians he is a true original.

5. Archaic.,  an eccentric person.

6. Archaic.,  a source of being; an author or originator.

original

/ əˈrɪdʒɪnəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to an origin or beginning

2. fresh and unusual; novel

3. able to think of or carry out new ideas or concepts

4. being that from which a copy, translation, etc, is made

noun

1. the first and genuine form of something, from which others are derived

2. a person or thing used as a model in art or literature

3. a person whose way of thinking is unusual or creative

4. an unconventional or strange person

5. the first form or occurrence of something

6. an archaic word for originator See originator

Other Word Forms

• nonoriginal adjective
• nonoriginally adverb
• preoriginal adjective
• preoriginally adverb
• quasi-original adjective
• quasi-originally adverb
• unoriginal adjective
• unoriginally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of original¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin orīginālis (adjective) and Medieval Latin orīgināle “original document” (noun use of neuter adjective), equivalent to orīgin- “beginning, source” + -ālis adjective suffix; origin, -al ¹

Example Sentences

The original Dangerous Dogs Act "changed my life" as a surgeon, she admitted.

From BBC

This revision was a response to those who questioned why the original bill language addressed only discrimination against Jews.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re delivering ecstatic, enormous reinterpretations that retain the elements of the originals that hooked us all in the first place.

From Salon

But Fifa said investigators obtained original birth certificates of the grandparents, which showed that they were born in countries like Argentina and Spain - all corresponding with the players' birthplaces.

From BBC

He requested that tariffs be reduced to their original 10%, and sanctions on some Brazilian officials be removed.

From BBC

Related Words

• creative 
• imaginative 
• innovative 
• inventive 
• seminal 
• unconventional 
• unusual