originality
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being original.
- Synonyms:
- ingenuity, inventiveness, creativeness, cleverness
-
ability to think or express oneself in an independent and individual manner; creative ability.
-
freshness or novelty, as of an idea, method, or performance.
- Synonyms:
- creativeness, cleverness, ingenuity, inventiveness
noun
-
the quality or condition of being original
-
the ability to create or innovate
-
something original
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of originality
From the French word originalité, dating back to 1735–45. See original, -ity
Explanation
Originality is the quality of being new and inventive. A composer who writes a symphony to be played by car horns and cell phones shows great originality. When something is original, it is creative and not derived from something else. It's fresh. Originality refers to the quality of being original and new. Inventors are full of originality: they need to think of brand new ideas and products. A great artist is full of originality, especially when coming up with new and surprising types of art. If something is just like other things, it shows no originality. True originality is a rare thing.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
No, if originality of thought is what you seek, it won’t be found in Congress, where sorry shibboleths are the order of the day.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026
It lacks the quirky originality that made “Once” an unexpected Broadway juggernaut.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
But fame and fortune did not affect her remarkable originality, which she once attributed to the "serenity of the soul" that comes from spending time alone.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
Now companies avoid originality in favor of “churning out more films within franchises,” which is cheaper and easier than developing original products with independent creators.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
But does it decrease our respect for his originality?
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
