You use original when referring to something that existed at the beginning of a process or activity, or the characteristics that somethinghad when it began or was made.
The original plan was to hold an indefinite stoppage.
He was unable to identify the original name of the site.
2. countable noun
If something such as a document, a work of art, or a piece of writing is an original, it is not a copy or a later version.
When you have filled in the questionnaire, copy it and send the original to youremployer.
For once the sequel is as good as the original.
Synonyms: prototype, master, pattern More Synonyms of original
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An original document or work of art is not a copy.
...an original movie poster.
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An original piece of writing or music was written recently and has not been published or performed before.
...its policy of commissioning original work.
...with catchy original songs by Richard Warner.
5. adjective
If you describe someone or their work as original, you mean that they are very imaginative and have new ideas.
[approval]
It is one of the most original works of imagination in the language.
...an original writer.
...a chef with an original touch and a measure of inspiration.
Synonyms: creative, inspired, imaginative, artistic More Synonyms of original
originality (ərɪdʒɪnælɪti)uncountable noun
He was capable of writing things of startling originality.
Synonyms: novelty, imagination, creativity, innovation More Synonyms of original
6.
See in the original/in the original French/etc
More Synonyms of original
original in British English
(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
5.
the first and genuine form of something, from which others are derived
6.
a person or thing used as a model in art or literature
7.
a person whose way of thinking is unusual or creative
8.
an unconventional or strange person
9.
the first form or occurrence of something
10.
an archaic word for originator
originator
original in American English
(əˈrɪdʒɪnəl)
adjective
1.
having to do with an origin; first; earliest
2.
never having occurred or existed before; fresh; new; novel
3.
capable of or given to inventing or creating something new, or thinking or acting in an independent, individual, fresh way
4.
coming from someone as the originator, maker, author, etc.
5.
being that from which reproductions, copies, etc. have been made
noun
6.
a pristine form or primary type that has given rise to varieties
7.
an original work, as of art or literature, as distinguished from a reproduction, copy, etc.
8.
the person or thing represented in a painting or the like
9.
a.
a person with an original and creative mind
b. Archaic
an eccentric person
10. Archaic
an originator
SIMILAR WORDS: new
Word origin
OFr < L originalis
Examples of 'original' in a sentence
original
The footage was far more spectacular than the original plan.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Please send only copies of original documents.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The church looks so true to its original form from the exterior that ramblers have accidentally wandered in.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is an original work, a parody.
The Sun (2016)
Resist outside attempts to muscle in on your original ideas, stick to your schedule.
The Sun (2017)
To which end, my resolution is perhaps the least original one going.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This is not so much the sequel as the original LP that gave birth to the hit single.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The original idea was a series about the worst job in England, with each programme being different.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The programme, though, was more a report on the work of others than the work of original investigative journalism.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In its original form, though, it epitomises a country that was economically thriving and confident in its global position.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The wooden floors have mostly been left and the original fireplaces restored.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Except that the art is not original.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They have an original idea and more than enough enthusiasm.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The internet music service was one of the original technology firms to begin life there.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
When are we going to get something really original?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Please send only copies of original documents.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The look only lasts in its original form for a day.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The original plan had been to grab them early yesterday while they were asleep.
The Sun (2009)
They sent me out to make a mould of the original piece and produce a cast.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The original name offers a better idea of what to expect.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Such study may well inspire some students to learn the original language.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She discusses contemporary poetry with a lack of affectation not always apparent in the original work.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
We also found amazing things like the original sticky toffee pudding recipe.
The Sun (2013)
His character has a hit with a cover of an old song whose original writer is presumed dead.
The Sun (2010)
These young online entrepreneurs are to be applauded; they are creative and original.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The original promise of new Labour was that this time would be different.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Hopefully, the songs will be as good as the originals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
An original or a copy?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The work must be genuine and original, but the awards are intended principally to show that academics do have a sense of humour.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is huge demand for a sequel after the original film topped the box office on opening and went on to make 20million worldwide.
The Sun (2016)
Quotations
Original thought is like original sin: both happened before you were born to people you could not have possibly metFran LebowitzSocial Studies
In other languages
original
British English: original /əˈrɪdʒɪnl/ ADJECTIVE
You use original to refer to something that existed at the beginning of a process or activity, or the characteristics that something had when it first existed.
...Strathclyde police, who carried out the original investigation.
American English: original
Arabic: أصْلِيٌّ
Brazilian Portuguese: original
Chinese: 最初的
Croatian: prvobitan
Czech: původní
Danish: original
Dutch: oorspronkelijk
European Spanish: original
Finnish: alkuperäinen
French: original
German: ursprünglich
Greek: πρωτότυπος
Italian: originale
Japanese: 最初の
Korean: 본래의
Norwegian: original
Polish: oryginalny
European Portuguese: original
Romanian: inițial
Russian: оригинальный
Latin American Spanish: original
Swedish: originell
Thai: ซึ่งเป็นแบบฉบับ
Turkish: özgün
Ukrainian: початковий
Vietnamese: đầu tiên ban đầu
British English: original NOUN
If something such as a document, a work of art, or a piece of writing is an original, it is not a copy or a later version.
When you have filled in the questionnaire, copy it and send the original to your employer.