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Definition of originality

originality

/əˌrɪdʒ.əˈnæl.ə.t̬i/
o · rig · i · nal · i · ty
Adverb:originally
•
Plural:originalities
•
Adjective:original
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originality Lexical Profile

originality Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality of being novel, independent, and creative rather than copied or derivative.

Example

"The judges praised the young composer's remarkable originality and bold use of rhythm."

2

The state of being the authentic, earliest, or primary form of something from which copies or later versions are made.

Example

"Curators used radiocarbon dating to verify the originality of the medieval manuscript."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for originality

• Nearby Words

original
originalism
originalist
originality
originally
originate
origination

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 17th century from the adjective 'original' plus the suffix '-ity', or borrowed via French 'originalité', ultimately tracing back to Latin 'origo' meaning 'beginning, source, or birth'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Originality. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/originality
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