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 of originality

• novelty
• freshness
• newness

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

The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality. —Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026

Panelists also pushed back on the instinct to follow the leader with NASCAR Chief Brand Officer Tim Clark emphasizing that originality is the only real shortcut. —Kennedy French, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026

There was just a severe lack of originality that doomed Zero from the get-go. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026

The good news is that scale and originality are not mutually exclusive. —Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026

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