original

American  

[uh-rij-uh-nl] / əˈrɪdʒ ə 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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of original

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; see origin, -al ¹

Explanation

When you buy a car from its original owner, you know it's only been owned by one person. Original means "the very first." Original comes from the Latin word originem, which means "beginning or birth." Whether you're using it as an adjective to describe something that is literally the very first, or as a noun meaning something that serves as a model for making copies, original means "first." Even when you describe an original idea, meaning "something fresh or unusual," you're talking about the first idea of its kind.

Example Sentences

Veteran actor Alan Rothwell, best known for playing David Barlow in the original cast of ITV soap Coronation Street, has died aged 89 after a short illness.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Gil Hanse used rare aerial photographs by Colonel J. Victor Dallin to restore Aronimink Golf Club to its original 1920s design.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The new book will be the fourth authorized by the family of Mario Puzo, the author of the original novel, since his death in 1999.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The original story by Travis Braun was ranked No. 1 on the 2024 Black List of the best unproduced screenplays.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Within seconds, Edmonds and the other séance attendees started to experience the growing powers of the two original spirit mediums.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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