novelty

American  

[nov-uhl-tee] / ˈnɒv əl ti /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of novelty

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

Example Sentences

But critics have raised copyright concerns and questioned the trend's novelty, arguing that it is too far a departure from the true essence of trot.

From BBC

Travellers’ Tour Through the United States was a novelty that featured a hand-colored map of the then-24 states, peppered with towns and landmarks.

From The Wall Street Journal

For much of it the spectacle was the substance: the crudeness, the nocturnal tweeting, the sheer stylistic novelty.

From The Wall Street Journal

The next step is to outgrow the novelty and become medal contenders, something Stokes says Jamaica can do by the 2034 Games in Salt Lake City.

From Los Angeles Times

And "part of the novelty of this work is functional gradients exist everywhere in biology," the researcher said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• freshness
• innovation
• oddity
• uniqueness