originality
noun
orig·i·nal·i·ty
ə-ˌri-jə-ˈna-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being original
2
: freshness of aspect, design, or style
3
: the power of independent thought or constructive imagination
Examples of originality in a Sentence
Critics have praised the movie's startling originality.
I was amazed by the originality of her ideas.
Recent Examples on the Web
Movie lovers tend to think of producers as dictators of formulas, oppressors of originality, the enemies of art, but that just reflects the unfortunate history of studio filmmaking in Hollywood and elsewhere.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Only his near contemporary, the American modernist poet Wallace Stevens (who survived into old age), who weirdly enough also was a lawyer for an insurance company, rivals Kafka in terms of the inverse proportion of literary originality and canonical significance to dullness of life story.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
The Zombie Redneck Torture Family lose major points for a lack of originality.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
According to the Natural History Museum, images will undergo an authenticity check during the final round, and submissions will be judged based on originality, narrative, and adherence to ethical practices.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originality
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Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Only his near contemporary, the American modernist poet Wallace Stevens (who survived into old age), who weirdly enough also was a lawyer for an insurance company, rivals Kafka in terms of the inverse proportion of literary originality and canonical significance to dullness of life story.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
The Zombie Redneck Torture Family lose major points for a lack of originality.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
According to the Natural History Museum, images will undergo an authenticity check during the final round, and submissions will be judged based on originality, narrative, and adherence to ethical practices.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originality
Cite this Entry
“Originality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/originality. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
originality
noun
orig·i·nal·i·ty
ə-ˌrij-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
1
: the quality or state of being original : freshness
the originality of an idea
2
: the power or ability to think, act, or do something in new ways : creativity
an artist of great originality
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