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

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

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

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

“I think the reason why there’s such a big community around it is because it’s trying to fulfill crypto’s original vision of a meritocratic, permissionless system,” said Lawrence Wu, co-founder of Hyperdash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Set two years before the original film, “Alien: Earth” mostly unfolds on our home planet, which has been carved into five giant tech companies’ spheres of influence.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

That home, which was built by architect Rex Lotery in 1965, was snapped up for $9 million just a few months before he sold his original dwelling.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

Pachuca played their last tournament in the 'amateur era' of the Mexican game in 1922, with the original club folding soon after.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

You could visit a country that had previously neighbored France, step over the border they used to have, and—bam!—by some remnant of the original spell, you were on Zeke’s knee.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

Related Words

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