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

As the author of a book about the history of Mexican food in the United States, I pointed out that this Del Taco isn’t actually the original, despite what the marquee says.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

The original ground was replaced by the second Hampden Park in 1884, which was followed by the third version of the stadium - in Mount Florida - in 1903.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Ms. Triplett is a force, even if she seems to be channeling Ruth Gordon, and Alex Gibson-Giorgio—wisely—does a bit of lifting from Erik Rhodes, the original Alberto Beddini.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

There are once-weekly patches, patches that combine estradiol with progestin, and different doses that may be close to the original prescription and can be substituted.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Writing mediums composed original work dictated by dead authors, among them Shakespeare, Shelley, and Poe.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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