original
1 of 2adjective
orig·i·nal ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl 
-ˈrij-nəl
1
: of, relating to, or constituting an origin or beginning : initial
the original part of the house
2
a
: not secondary, derivative, or imitative
an original composition
b
: being the first instance or source from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is or can be made
3
: independent and creative in thought or action : inventive
an original artist
original
2 of 2noun
1
a
: that from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is made
gave her a copy of the report and kept the original
b
: a work composed firsthand
This painting is a Van Gogh original.
2
a
: a person of fresh initiative or inventive capacity
an original among popular pianists, combining jazz and romantic techniques in an unusually effective manner
Douglas Watt
Douglas Watt b
: a unique or eccentric person
Among other comedians he's an original.
3
archaic : the source or cause from which something arises
specifically : originator
Synonyms
Adjective
- earliest
- first
- foremost
- headmost
- inaugural
- initial
- leadoff
- maiden
- pioneer
- premier
- virgin
Noun
- archetype
- prototype
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective Their original idea was to fix their old car, but they decided to buy a new one instead. The word's original meaning was very different from its current meaning. I gave her a copy and kept the original document myself. The book has been translated into English from the original Spanish. The concept is very original. The car has a highly original design. She has a very original and creative mind. He is admired as an original American composer. Noun I gave her a copy of the report and kept the original. This isn't a reprint, it's an original. Compared to other actresses of her generation, she is a true original. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Carson Burton, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 What stands out when thinking about the original film is its style and fashion sense. John Benson, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 The Pros’ Most Memorable Dances and Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return; and a new original short film, Remembering, by Emmy-winning director Elijah Allan-Blitz. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 When Santa falls off his roof on Christmas Eve in the original 1994 film, Scott Calvin inherits the magic and, of course, the red suit and rosy cheeks. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 5 Sep. 2022 The beloved horror character, and S&M icon, was portrayed in the original film, and many of its sequels, by Doug Bradley, but in Bruckner's movie Pinhead is played by Sense8 actress Jamie Clayton. Clark Collis, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy return in Hocus Pocus 2 as the Sanderson sisters, a trio of witches who in the original 1993 film were accidentally resurrected by a young boy. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 1 Sep. 2022 So all of writer-director Ozon’s coyly layered references to the original film, including casting Hanna Schygulla as Peter’s mother, come across as gimmicky. Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Tom Kitt composed the score, with the original film's writer/director Crowe, 65, penning the stage show's book and lyrics. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Miraculously, this specimen was saved from being sold for scrap metal and restored in 2004 by Dominique Tessier, who rebuilt the Hampton Court Palace Concours winner from just three reference photos of the original. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2022 Residents have been clamoring for redevelopment of the property, with widespread preference for something that would re-create the unique appearance of the original. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2022 The resulting acreage can’t be more than 150% of the original. Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2022 Brie plays Amber, the manager of a Bakersfield, California restaurant called Tuscan Grove, which is best described as an Olive Garden knockoff that’s even more Olive Garden-y than the original. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2022 Cue a bonkers $28 million Friday (still the biggest opening day for a live-action original) and $71 million weekend (second to Avatar’s $77 million on that scale). Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Movistar Plus’ first original to explore global dystopia and Buendía Estudios’ first full production for the Telefonica Spanish pay TV operator. John Hopewell, Variety, 15 July 2022 Some of these looks were remakes done by the house in the 1980s or 1990s, Beavan explained, while costume designer John Bright was able to unearth a true original, the black and white spotted dress called The Costa Rica, in the back of his archives. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 July 2022 See More
Adjective
The original 1986 film, distributed by MGM, was Keanu Reeves’ feature film debut. Carson Burton, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 What stands out when thinking about the original film is its style and fashion sense. John Benson, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 The Pros’ Most Memorable Dances and Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return; and a new original short film, Remembering, by Emmy-winning director Elijah Allan-Blitz. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 When Santa falls off his roof on Christmas Eve in the original 1994 film, Scott Calvin inherits the magic and, of course, the red suit and rosy cheeks. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 5 Sep. 2022 The beloved horror character, and S&M icon, was portrayed in the original film, and many of its sequels, by Doug Bradley, but in Bruckner's movie Pinhead is played by Sense8 actress Jamie Clayton. Clark Collis, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy return in Hocus Pocus 2 as the Sanderson sisters, a trio of witches who in the original 1993 film were accidentally resurrected by a young boy. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 1 Sep. 2022 So all of writer-director Ozon’s coyly layered references to the original film, including casting Hanna Schygulla as Peter’s mother, come across as gimmicky. Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Tom Kitt composed the score, with the original film's writer/director Crowe, 65, penning the stage show's book and lyrics. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 Noun
Unsurprisingly, Peter and Amir’s affair ends badly, and, yes, in bitter tears — but the spinoff’s telling of it lacks the narrative verve and power of the original. Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Miraculously, this specimen was saved from being sold for scrap metal and restored in 2004 by Dominique Tessier, who rebuilt the Hampton Court Palace Concours winner from just three reference photos of the original. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2022 Residents have been clamoring for redevelopment of the property, with widespread preference for something that would re-create the unique appearance of the original. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 21 July 2022 The resulting acreage can’t be more than 150% of the original. Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2022 Brie plays Amber, the manager of a Bakersfield, California restaurant called Tuscan Grove, which is best described as an Olive Garden knockoff that’s even more Olive Garden-y than the original. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2022 Cue a bonkers $28 million Friday (still the biggest opening day for a live-action original) and $71 million weekend (second to Avatar’s $77 million on that scale). Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Movistar Plus’ first original to explore global dystopia and Buendía Estudios’ first full production for the Telefonica Spanish pay TV operator. John Hopewell, Variety, 15 July 2022 Some of these looks were remakes done by the house in the 1980s or 1990s, Beavan explained, while costume designer John Bright was able to unearth a true original, the black and white spotted dress called The Costa Rica, in the back of his archives. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Phrases Containing original
Kids Definition
original 1 of 2
adjective
orig·i·nal ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl
1
: of or relating to the source or beginning : first
My room is in the original part of an old house.
2
: not copied from anything else : not translated : new
an original painting
an original idea
3
: able to think up new things : creative
original
2 of 2noun
: something that is produced by an artist or writer and from which a copy or translation can be made
The paintings are originals.
She read the Russian novel in the original.
Legal Definition
original
noun
orig·i·nal
1
: that from which a copy or reproduction is made
both parties signed the original
compare duplicate 2
: a work composed firsthand as the product of an author's creativity
Note: A work must be an original in order to obtain a copyright.
original 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in initial
coming before all others in time or order the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- initial
- first
- inaugural
- earliest
- previous
- maiden
- foremost
- pioneer
- premier
- early
- primary
- ancient
- preceding
- primordial
- primeval
- headmost
- prime
- leadoff
- primitive
- primal
- antecedent
- virgin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- final
- last
- latest
- latter
- ultimate
- subsequent
- following
- terminal
- late
- advanced
- ensuing
- terminating
- succeeding
- consequent
- penultimate
2
as in innovative
having the skill and imagination to create new things an original artist who wanted his paintings to convey his emotional responses to the people, objects, and landscapes he painted Synonyms & Similar Words
- innovative
- creative
- inventive
- imaginative
- innovational
- talented
- ingenious
- inspired
- innovatory
- originative
- prolific
- gifted
- clever
- generative
- resourceful
- Promethean
- fertile
- germinal
- fecund
- productive
- fruitful
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unoriginal
- unimaginative
- imitative
- uninspired
- uncreative
- uninventive
- unproductive
- infertile
- talentless
3
as in novel
not known or experienced before separate categories for original and adapted screenplays Synonyms & Similar Words
- novel
- new
- unfamiliar
- unprecedented
- fresh
- strange
- unique
- unknown
- innovative
- unheard-of
- nontraditional
- pioneering
- unaccustomed
- unconventional
- unused
- trailblazing
- unworn
- untried
- pathbreaking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- old
- traditional
- familiar
- hackneyed
- conventional
- tired
- established
- time-honored
- derivative
- warmed-over
- tried
- imitative
- tried-and-true
original
2 of 2noun
1
as in example
something from which copies are made please make copies to hand out, but keep the original Synonyms & Similar Words
- example
- prototype
- model
- source
- archetype
- pattern
- classic
- blueprint
- mold
- paradigm
- draft
- ideal
- exemplar
- paragon
- nonpareil
- beau ideal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- copy
- reproduction
- imitation
- replica
- forgery
- fake
- counterfeit
- sham
2
as in eccentric
a person of odd or whimsical habits the town's singing mailman is an original, all right Synonyms & Similar Words
- eccentric
- character
- zany
- oddball
- odd duck
- rarity
- screwball
- oddity
- crank
- head case
- bohemian
- maverick
- crackpot
- weirdo
- nut
- flake
- codger
- fruitcake
- kook
- crackbrain
- piece of work
- quiz
- crack
- nutter
- nutcase
- nonconformist
- freak
- quixote
- coot
- geezer
- curio
- fantast
- fantastico
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sheep
- conformist
- follower
- conformer
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of original are fresh, new, and novel. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.
a man without one original idea
In some situations, the words fresh and original are roughly equivalent. However, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.
a fresh start
The words new and original can be used in similar contexts, but new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.
new brick
new designs
starts the new job
The words novel and original are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.
a novel approach to the problem