originality

originality — noun

1. the quality of having your own fresh ideas or style, instead of seeming copied f

1.nounB2
Definition

the quality of having your own fresh ideas or style, instead of seeming copied from something else

Example

The judges praised the song's originality after hearing twenty similar entries.

praise originality in creative work

Mina's science poster won first prize for its originality.

for its originality

Common collocations
  • show originality
  • lack originality
  • the originality of the design
  • artistic originality
Synonyms
  • creativity

    a broader everyday word for producing new ideas or art

  • inventiveness

    often stresses clever practical ideas or solutions

  • freshness

    focuses on a pleasing new feel, especially in style

  • individuality

    stresses a personal style that stands out from others

Antonyms
  • imitation

    suggests something copied from another model

  • sameness

    stresses a lack of variety or distinctive character

Grammar Patterns

show originality

lack originality

the originality of a design

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. Common after possessives or in the pattern originality of + noun, especially when people judge art, writing, design, or ideas.

Common Mistakes

The museum explained the bag's originality in Peru.
The museum explained the bag's origin in Peru.
originality is about creative newness; origin is where something comes from.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Originality stresses that something feels truly its own and not copied from earlier work. Creativity is broader: it is the ability to make ideas, art, or solutions. Inventiveness often points to clever practical thinking, especially when someone solves a problem in a new way. Imagination is the power to form pictures or ideas in the mind, but those ideas do not always become real work. Freshness often describes a new, lively quality in style or presentation. A teacher may praise the originality of a poem, while a manager may praise an engineer's inventiveness. You might say The poster shows real originality, but The child has a big imagination.

originality ↗creativity ↗inventivenessimagination ↗freshness

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • show originality
  • lack originality
  • praise someone's originality

Prepositions

  • originality in
  • originality of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Originality was formed in English from original and the noun ending -ity. Original came through French from Latin origo, meaning a beginning or source. Over time, the word developed the modern idea of having a character or idea that is not copied from others.