[go: up one dir, main page]

original 1 of 2

Definition of originalnext
1
2
3

original

2 of 2

noun

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 bell was replaced on the underwater ship with a replica, engraved with the 29 sailors' names on it. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025 One of the original Florida state parks, opened to the public in 1935, the 13,000-acre expanse felt more like Georgia or North Carolina with its high plateaus, steep ravines, waterfalls, and seasonal foliage. Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
Along with fellow originals Hart and Kreutzmann, Weir recruited musicians Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti and the man who would become his steady stage partner the past decade, fellow singer-guitarist John Mayer. Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026 The series has broken audience records as the largest global premiere week for originals for the service. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for original
Recent Examples of Synonyms for original
Adjective
  • During their initial investigation, police found that two men approached the home's front door.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Noting that a federal grant funded the initial deployment of ShotSpotter, Lucas said, too often there are technologies that end up being funded by local taxpayers in perpetuity.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Based on the Qiushi article, the government is expected to implement more innovative and targeted measures, Michelle Kwok, HSBC’s head of Asia real estate and Hong Kong equity research, wrote in a report Thursday.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
  • At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • By grafting old-school procedural pleasures onto a 24-esque real-time format, the show produced a genuinely novel structure in the post-prestige era that was impossible to look away from.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
  • May 5 Schumacher is really funny (her hilarious novel Dear Committee Member won the Thurber Prize)!
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Therefore, seeing multiple green aircraft together strongly suggests serial (repeat) production, not one-off prototypes.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • As Milligan points out in a prototype demo, the tracks feature drainage holes on the outside to keep the water moving outward instead of pooling and potentially leaking inside.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Gyles Brandreth, broadcaster, former MP and friend to Christopher Robin Milne, opened up about the man behind the character while chatting with Joe Sibilia on Nostalgia Tonight.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • That idea of shiny surfaces is key to Cathy’s character and costumes.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • His first action of the night came after about three minutes into the game, not long after going over to the exercise bike parked just outside the tunnel leading to their locker room, jumping on it while being advised by a member of the Hornets’ performance staff.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Pratt launched his mayoral run on the first anniversary of the Los Angeles fires, which destroyed his and his wife Heidi Montag’s home.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Town will shift its focus toward fresh, creative ways to celebrate Addison's incredible culinary scene.
    Robbie Owens, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Always ready for fun, Rose enjoys laughing, moving and finding creative ways to express herself.
    The Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The interdisciplinary approach brought the duke’s life and death to a stunning clarity — indicating how analyses can shed new light on age-old mysteries, even murders.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
  • While earning a master's degree in exercise and coaching science at University College Dublin, she was introduced to CrossFit and discovered a new kind of challenge with its emphasis on versatility and constant adaptation.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Original.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/original. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on original

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!