novelty

[nov-uhl-tee]

noun

plural

novelties 

1. state or quality of being novel, new, or unique; newness.

   the novelty of a new job.

2. a novel occurrence, experience, or proceeding.

   His sarcastic witticisms had ceased being an entertaining novelty.

3. 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

1. Textiles.

   1. (of a weave) consisting of a combination of basic weaves.

   2. (of a fabric or garment) having a pattern or design produced by a novelty weave.

   3. (of yarn) having irregularities within the fibrous structure.

2. of or relating to novelties as articles of trade.

   novelty goods; novelty items.

3. having or displaying novelties.

   novelty shop.

novelty

/ ˈnɒvəltɪ /

noun

1. 1. the quality of being new and fresh and interesting

   2. ( as modifier )

      novelty value

2. a new or unusual experience or occurrence

3. (often plural) a small usually cheap new toy, ornament, or trinket

Word History and Origins

Origin of novelty¹

1350–1400; Middle English novelte < Middle French novelete < Late Latin novellitās newness. See novel ², -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of novelty¹

C14: from Old French novelté; see _novel ²

Example Sentences

And it is undeniably a pleasant novelty not to see patrons at the theater in cargo shorts and T-shirts that talk to you.

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Like many contemporary operas, “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” by Mason Bates, a commissioned work that opened the Metropolitan Opera season on Sunday evening, walks the line between novelty and tradition without embracing either.

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The Emcee’s funhouse reflection signifies not only how straight culture ogles the novelty of a newly surfaced queer society in Weimar Berlin but also how that queer community ogles at the novelty of itself.

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Watching Sasaki pitch the final inning of a two-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in their National League wild-card series, the patrons at Dodger Stadium at once recognized the novelty of his act.

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In one instance, Bourdain criticizes Deen’s style of cooking, saying, “This is not Southern food she’s been selling. Her brand has been, all these years, novelty food,” as reported by Entertainment Weekly.

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Related Words

• freshness www.thesaurus.com
• innovation 
• oddity 
• uniqueness