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.

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noun

• originals
  plural

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

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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

Derived Forms

• nonoriginal
  adjective
• preoriginal
  adjective
• quasi-original
  adjective
• unoriginal
  adjective
• nonoriginally
  adverb
• preoriginally
  adverb
• quasi-originally
  adverb
• unoriginally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• originals
  plural

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

See Examples For:

original originals

The left-back, who has been the subject of interest from Manchester United, has agreed a two-year extension to his original deal.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Nonetheless, Howe is confident that Netflix continues to outshine its competitors, noting that the streamer is still in a “growth mindset” that bets on original ideas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

"But when we used the same parameters as original impact modeling - down to the equal temperature structures inside both bodies - within around five hours, an intact moon emerged."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

AAM said that brand-name drugmakers exploit this system by offering PBMs massive rebates on high-price original drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

“Hey, did you know that my dad owns some original copies of The Human Torch? I think he left them in the attic. Let’s go find them.”

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

Axel Scheffler said AI pictures are "a breach of copyright" and lose their charm when compared to the hand-drawn originals.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

“Don’t Say Good Luck” is predictable but undeniably sweet, aided by a star-making turn by Sandler, who’s already miles past her father in terms of quality Netflix originals.

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026

Mr. Batiste’s originals distill Monk’s essence yet further.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Fans of animated originals can rest assured that both Pixar and Disney Animation have new stories on the way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026

He finished the job, replaced the originals before Ellsberg knew they were missing, and flew with his wife to New York, lugging five bulging bags.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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