originality

[uh-rij-uh-nal-i-tee]

See more synonyms for originality on Thesaurus.com

noun

the quality or state of being original.
ability to think or express oneself in an independent and individual manner; creative ability.
freshness or novelty, as of an idea, method, or performance.

Origin of originality

From the French word originalité, dating back to 1735–45. See original, -ity

Related formsun·o·rig·i·nal·i·ty, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1, 3. inventiveness, ingenuity, cleverness, creativeness.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for originality

Contemporary Examples

Yet an answer, or even a speculation, would have added insight and originality to this terrific but risk-averse debut.
Ted Thompson’s Debut Novel Features A 1 Percenter As Its Hero
Stefan Beck
May 6, 2014
This adds only more fuel to the accusation that originality and risk on Broadway have virtually disappeared.
Is Broadway Being Destroyed by Hollywood?
Michele Willens
March 17, 2014
No one said Washington scored high on the originality scale.
Calling BS on the Surge in Cursing by Beltway Politicians
Lauren Ashburn
February 28, 2013
In the event of a tie, tied Video Entries will be re-judged based solely on: Film Technique (1/2) and Originality (1/2).
OFFICIAL RULES OF THE IMAX® Award Contest—Deadline Extended
October 8, 2012
If they were secretaries, take away 15 for lack of originality.
The Cain Sexual-Harassment Game
Michael Tomasky
November 2, 2011

Historical Examples

His motives for this stroke of originality were difficult to discover.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
This 'consolation stakes' is regarded as a better test of originality than the tripos.
Heroes of the Telegraph
J. Munro
His originality as an inventor has indeed been called in question, like that of Watt and Stephenson.
Self-Help
Samuel Smiles
This savours of originality, at least, and is just as insipid, if not more.
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
Yet the greater merit of the work is not the admirable art, but the originality of thought.
The Republic
Plato

British Dictionary definitions for originality

originality

noun plural -ties

the quality or condition of being original
the ability to create or innovate
something original

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for originality

n.

1742, from original (adj.) + -ity. Probably after French originalité (1690s).

originality

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}originality

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for originality

Contemporary Examples

Yet an answer, or even a speculation, would have added insight and originality to this terrific but risk-averse debut.

This adds only more fuel to the accusation that originality and risk on Broadway have virtually disappeared.

No one said Washington scored high on the originality scale.

In the event of a tie, tied Video Entries will be re-judged based solely on: Film Technique (1/2) and Originality (1/2).

If they were secretaries, take away 15 for lack of originality.

Historical Examples

His motives for this stroke of originality were difficult to discover.

This 'consolation stakes' is regarded as a better test of originality than the tripos.

His originality as an inventor has indeed been called in question, like that of Watt and Stephenson.

This savours of originality, at least, and is just as insipid, if not more.

Yet the greater merit of the work is not the admirable art, but the originality of thought.

originality

Word Origin and History for originality

n.

Origin of originality