Original — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl/ orig·i·nal

Meaning & Definition of Original

Original (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or constituting an origin or beginning, initial
  2. not secondary, derivative, or imitative
  3. being the first instance or source from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is or can be made

Original (noun)

  1. that from which a copy, reproduction, or translation is made
  2. a work composed firsthand
  3. a person of fresh initiative or inventive capacity

Original (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. coming before all others in time or order

    "the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically"

    similar: earliest, first, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, pioneer, premier, virgin
    related: ancient, early, primal, primary, prime, primeval, primitive, primordial, antecedent, preceding, previous
    opposite: final, last, latest, latter, terminal, terminating, ultimate
    near: advanced, late, consequent, ensuing, following, subsequent, succeeding, penultimate

  2. 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"

    similar: clever, creative, imaginative, ingenious, innovational, innovative, innovatory, inventive, originative, Promethean
    related: gifted, inspired, talented, resourceful, fecund, fertile, fruitful, generative, germinal, productive, prolific
    opposite: uncreative, unimaginative, uninventive, unoriginal
    near: imitative, uninspired, infertile, unproductive, talentless

  3. not known or experienced before

    "separate categories for original and adapted screenplays"

    similar: fresh, new, novel, strange, unaccustomed, unfamiliar, unheard-of, unknown, unprecedented
    related: innovative, unique, nontraditional, unconventional, untried, unused, unworn, pathbreaking, pioneering, trailblazing
    opposite: familiar, hackneyed, old, time-honored, tired, warmed-over
    near: conventional, established, traditional, tried, tried-and-true, derivative, imitative

Original (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something from which copies are made

    "please make copies to hand out, but keep the original"

    similar: archetype, prototype
    related: source, example, mold, paradigm, pattern, beau ideal, classic, exemplar, ideal, model, nonpareil, paragon, blueprint, draft
    near: copy, imitation, replica, reproduction, counterfeit, fake, forgery, sham

  2. a person of odd or whimsical habits

    "the town's singing mailman is an original, all right"

    similar: character, codger, crack, crackbrain, crackpot, crank, eccentric, flake, fruitcake, head case, kook, loon, loony, nut, nutcase, nutter (British slang), oddball, oddity, quiz, screwball, wacko, weirdo, zany, odd duck, piece of work
    related: bohemian, maverick, nonconformist, quixote, coot, geezer, curio, rarity, freak, fantast, fantastico
    near: conformer, conformist, follower, sheep

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Original

The most common words with a similar meaning to Original:

British slang: nutter
earliest, first, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, pioneer, premier, virgin, clever, creative, imaginative, ingenious, innovational, innovative, innovatory, inventive, originative, Promethean, fresh, new, novel, strange, unaccustomed, unfamiliar, unheard-of, unknown, unprecedented, archetype, prototype, character, codger, crack, crackbrain, crackpot, crank, eccentric, flake

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Original

Words with the opposite meaning of Original:

final, last, latest, latter, terminal, terminating, ultimate, uncreative, unimaginative, uninventive, unoriginal, familiar, hackneyed, old, time-honored, tired, warmed-over

Related Words for Original

ancient, early, primal, primary, prime, primeval, primitive, primordial, antecedent, preceding, previous, gifted, inspired, talented, resourceful, fecund, fertile, fruitful, generative, germinal, productive, prolific, unique, nontraditional, unconventional, untried, unused, unworn, pathbreaking, pioneering

Near Antonyms of Original

advanced, late, consequent, ensuing, following, subsequent, succeeding, penultimate, imitative, uninspired, infertile, unproductive, talentless, conventional, established, traditional, tried, tried-and-true, derivative, copy, imitation, replica, reproduction, counterfeit, fake, forgery, sham, conformer, conformist, follower

Origin & Etymology of Original

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Original

Words & Phrases Containing Original

original equipment manufacturer, original sin, in the original

Frequently Asked Questions about Original

What does "Original" mean?

"Original" means of, relating to, or constituting an origin or beginning, initial. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: of, relating to, or constituting an origin or beginning, initial. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Original"?

Other words for "Original" include earliest, first, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff and maiden. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Original" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Original"?

There are 113 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Original". Common alternatives include earliest, first, foremost, headmost, inaugural, initial, leadoff, maiden, pioneer and premier.

What is the opposite of "Original"?

Antonyms of "Original" include final, last, latest, latter, terminal, terminating, ultimate and uncreative. Near antonyms include advanced, late, consequent and ensuing.

How do you use "Original" in a sentence?

Examples of "Original" in a sentence: "the original plan had to be discarded when the situation changed drastically"; "an original artist who wanted his paintings to convey his emotional responses to the people, objects, and landscapes he painted"; "separate categories for original and adapted screenplays".

Is "Original" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Original" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Original" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Original" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Original"?

"Original" is pronounced /ə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl/ and divided into syllables as orig·i·nal.