original 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl How to pronounce original (audio)
Definition of originalnext
1
as in initial
coming before all others in time or order the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically

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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

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3
as in novel
not known or experienced before separate categories for original and adapted screenplays

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original

2 of 2

noun

1
as in prototype
something from which copies are made please make copies to hand out, but keep the original

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in character
a person of odd or whimsical habits the town's singing mailman is an original, all right

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective original differ from other similar words?

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

Where would fresh be a reasonable alternative to original?

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

When can new be used instead of original?

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

When would novel be a good substitute for original?

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of original
Adjective
The original incarnation of the company ceased operations at the end of 2011; among its woes then was the fact that the Obama-era ATVM loan program that helped Tesla so much would not fund a three-wheel vehicle, leading to years spent redesigning a four-wheel version. —Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2026 The Stones held a Q&A hosted by funnyman Conan O’Brien in Brooklyn on May 5 to promote their second recording of original new music since 2005. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Noun
The company’s latest headset is the next iteration of the Arctis Nova Pro series and carries many of the perks from the groundbreaking original. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 14 May 2026 Joined by her septet and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Reineke, Joy performed a medley of tunes — her own originals as well as standards and more obscure selections within the vocal jazz canon — to rapturous applause. —Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for original
Recent Examples of Synonyms for original
  1. initial
  2. innovative
  3. novel
  4. prototype
  5. character
  6. first
  7. creative
  8. new
Adjective
  • Last week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association reported hotel bookings for most host cities have tracked below initial forecasts, with particular weakness seen in Kansas City, where as many as 90% of respondents said sales were trailing a typical summer.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 14 May 2026
  • The Panthers’ draft picks were given their initial jersey numbers during rookie camp.
    — Mike Kaye Updated May 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Definition of initial
Adjective
  • Sign up for our weekly, original newsletter that goes beyond the annual Disruptor 50 list, offering a closer look at list-making companies and their innovative founders.
    — Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 19 May 2026
  • Goldschmied exits Daily Blue to launch Goldie, another woman’s jeans brands characterized by innovative production techniques like the use of pigments and garment dyeing.
    — Maria Cristina Pavarini, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • The creature changes color and shape instantly, solves novel problems, and even regrows damaged limbs.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
  • In 1987, such genuine earnestness in a song that was actually about something was novel and welcome to listeners like me, who felt alienated by Top 40 radio but were too sheltered to encounter, let alone embrace, hardcore or rap.
    — Dan Kois, Pitchfork, 17 May 2026
Definition of novel
Noun
  • What will be interesting to see is if this prototype display technology makes its way to the iPhone Fold later this year, but not the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which would be a major win for the Apple device and mitigate some of Samsung's early software advantage.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • The prototype system achieves motion-robust 3D tracking of mixed-reflectivity scenes at incredibly high frame rates.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
Definition of prototype
Noun
  • The spinoff will feature Beth Dutton riding horses more frequently, a change from her character's past trauma.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • In an announcement video posted to social media, Martin was joined by characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets, with a cameo from BTS.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Definition of character
Adjective
  • The Ravens held minicamp in April — the first under Minter — and Jackson was in attendance.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • The backstory The first Ana Mandara property was built 30 years ago in neighboring Nha Trang.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Definition of first
Adjective
  • Leah became chief creative officer of the niche fragrance line Skylar and was on Forbes’s 2026 30 Under 30 list for her social media reach.
    — Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
  • The creative team is not so much interested in nostalgia but feels there is a timely urgency behind revisiting the model’s life.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • And across all networks, just six new shows bow in the fall — with most waiting for post-football homes.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • Winston makes a cameo to execute another electric Ford Field trick play, and the Giants lose a close one with their offense starting to find a new gear.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
Definition of new

Browse Nearby Words

origin
original
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Cite this Entry

“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/original. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on original

Nglish: Translation of original for Spanish Speakers

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