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

Then at the end, you see him in sunglasses looking at what he has achieved,” says Chambille, who shot “Nouvelle Vague” in black and white as an homage to the original.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The amendment creates a Federal Constitutional Court with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional cases, stripping the Supreme Court of its original powers.

Read more on Barron's

She lost more than 40% of her original body weight and was twice admitted to hospital in London.

Read more on BBC

In the original "Dragon Ball" manga, a boy named Son Goku collects magical balls containing dragons to help protect the Earth.

Read more on Barron's

That hour, as audiences familiar with the original tragedy already know, is when Oedipus will discover his true identity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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