novelty

[ nov-uhl-tee ]

noun

, plural nov·el·ties.

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

Blue Q is the champion of socks with novelty sayings to delight anyone looking for a bit of fun in their footwear.

From Popular-Science

It’s more of a novelty to see the candidates together on stage for the first time.

From FiveThirtyEight

If you are looking for a fun cover that’s still a little more sophisticated than a novelty notebook with a quippy saying, then this journal from Keegood could be the right way to go.

From Popular-Science

He still envisions a world where internal combustion engines only exist as novelties.

From Popular-Science

We are wired to enjoy novelty—it makes us feel good and happy.

From Outside Online

“The novelty of David Duke has worn off,” said Scalise then.

From The Daily Beast

Novelty aside, the real question is whether these avowedly chaste men of the cloth are listening.

From The Daily Beast

Not even the hawkiest neo-conservative is calling for war, a novelty in recent American history.

From The Daily Beast

The appeal of Bitcoin lies in part in its novelty and techy-ness.

From The Daily Beast

For them, novelty and naughtiness were the ultimate aphrodisiacs.

From The Daily Beast

One of the strongest objections against the use of the "Indian novelty" was its ruinous cost at this period.

From Project Gutenberg

And now commenced a life of seclusion and retirement, which both of them enjoyed from its very novelty.

From Project Gutenberg

And Egypt was for her a complete novelty, and a novelty bringing health, and a feeling almost of youth.

From Project Gutenberg

A unique novelty was the Contra Trombone on the Pedal of 64 feet actual length.

From Project Gutenberg

At all events, it had the refreshing charm of novelty: there was the fishing, and the King's Warren trout stream was a good one.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• curiosity
• gimmick
• oddity
• souvenir