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

Synonyms

• freshness
• newness
• novelty

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

Protect linguistic originality: Encourage specificity, metaphor, and vocabulary diversity in your communication. —Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Each year, a jury will select 10 to 12 feature films with no geographical or genre restriction, basing its picks on criteria including quality, originality and vision. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 14 May 2025

The age-old tension between artistic originality and commerce was explored, and our team failed at finding a compromise. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025

Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye are being honored with the Musical Excellence Award, which is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for originality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality

Kids 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

Legal Definition

originality

noun

orig·​i·​nal·​i·​ty

: the quality or fact of being the product of individual creation that warrants copyright protection for a particular work regardless of novelty