novelty
noun
nov·el·ty
ˈnä-vəl-tē 
plural novelties
1
: something new or unusual
the novelty of a self-driving car
2
3
: a small manufactured article intended mainly for personal or household adornment
—usually used in plural
Disney novelties filled the shelves.
4
: something (such as a song or food item) that provides often fleeting amusement and is often based on a theme
—often used before another noun
The movie included a few novelty songs.
Examples of novelty in a Sentence
the novelty of space exploration
Electric-powered cars are still novelties.
Eating shark meat is a novelty to many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond fits, Wrobel said to watch wool blends in 2026 as well as crosshatch and other novelty texture effects.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026
What matters is not the novelty, but what keeps them watching.
—Jennifer Obel, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
From vacuums, pool cleaners, and lawn mowers to humanoid-style robots, CES 2026 will showcase how automation is moving from novelty to practicality.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
The media’s persistent focus on which celebrities or newcomers might enter the race reflects journalists’ preferences for novelty and spectacle rather than genuine voter demand for such candidates.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for novelty
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Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026
What matters is not the novelty, but what keeps them watching.
—Jennifer Obel, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
From vacuums, pool cleaners, and lawn mowers to humanoid-style robots, CES 2026 will showcase how automation is moving from novelty to practicality.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
The media’s persistent focus on which celebrities or newcomers might enter the race reflects journalists’ preferences for novelty and spectacle rather than genuine voter demand for such candidates.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for novelty
Cite this Entry
“Novelty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novelty. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
novelty
noun
nov·el·ty
ˈnäv-əl-tē
plural novelties
1
: something new or unusual
2
: the quality or state of being novel : newness
3
: a small article intended mainly as an unusual ornament or toy
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
novelty
noun
nov·el·ty
ˈnä-vəl-tē
plural novelties
: the quality or state of being new : quality of being different from anything in prior existence
satisfied the requirement of novelty for a patent on the design
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