original

[ uh-rij-uh-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: primeval, primordial, primitive, 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

/ 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 Words From

• nono·rigi·nal adjective noun
• nono·rigi·nal·ly adverb
• preo·rigi·nal adjective
• preo·rigi·nal·ly adverb
• quasi-o·rigi·nal adjective
• quasi-o·rigi·nal·ly adverb
• uno·rigi·nal adjective
• uno·rigi·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of original¹

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; origin, -al ¹

Example Sentences

His most recent work, published in The Plant Cell, used advancements in genomic research to fill in gaps of the original soybean reference genome.

From Science Daily

The research team also obtained sound recordings of original Aztec death whistles as well as from handmade replicas.

From Science Daily

He also penned the original text on developing bacteriophages for medical use.

From Salon

That’s significantly higher than the federal share of costs for the original enrollee category.

From Los Angeles Times

Just last year, “Anatomy of a Fall” earned nominations for best picture and original screenplay after being overlooked by France.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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